Uber and Momenta to start testing autonomous ride-sharing service in Germany
Uber has announced a massive change to the way its passengers will use the ride hailing service.
Uber’s venture into self-driving cars is gaining serious momentum.
Uber and its new partner Momenta will start testing an autonomous ride-sharing service in Munich, Germany, next year.
The move comes as Europe scrambles to catch up with the US and China in offering autonomous rideshare services across the region.
The rideshare company announced its partnership with Momenta in May 2025, which enabled the tech company to integrate its robotaxis into the ride-hailing platform for cities outside the US and China.
MORE: ‘Bad memories’: Ricciardo’s $5m car for sale
The testing period will use Level 4 autonomous vehicles, which are capable of operating without human input from 2026.
However, Uber say Momenta’s robotaxis will feature safety drivers behind the wheel at launch before eventually transitioning to fully driverless vehicles.
If everything goes to plan, Momenta robotaxis could be expanded across other European cities in the years to come.
Munich was selected to kick start the operation due to the city’s deep-rooted engineering heritage, top-tier automotive ecosystem and openness to innovation.
“Testing L4 autonomous vehicles in Munich allows us to showcase how Momenta’s AI-driven Robotaxi technology can transform urban mobility, as a new chapter in the region’s rich automotive heritage,” said Xudong Cao, CEO of Momenta.
MORE: ‘Retro’ ute to take over Australia
Momenta, based in Shanghai, already runs a robotaxi service in China and has attracted investment from major carmakers including GM, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and BMW supplier Bosch. Several automakers, including Mercedes and BMW, currently use its driver-assist software in their vehicles.
Additionally, Uber has been aggressively forming alliances with self-driving companies worldwide, with the most notable collaboration being with Waymo in the US.
And only recently, Volkswagen has announced a partnership with Uber to launch its own autonomous ride-hailing service in Los Angeles for 2026.
MORE: Musk on track to be world’s first trillionaire
Uber originally had plans to build its own self-driving fleet but abandoned the idea in 2020 following immense financial losses, the death of a pedestrian and a trade secret dispute with Waymo that resulted in Uber paying out US$245 million.
If Uber’s self-driving taxis prove to be successful in Europe, there is every chance they will come to Australia. Uber has long hinted at bringing self-driving vehicle to Australia.
“‘We’re engaged with the right regulators in Australia,” Uber President and Chief Operating Officer Andrew McDonald has said.
“Historically it’s a market that’s led the way for us on new products.”
“You can imagine there’s interest from European and North American players, but there’s a lot of innovation happening in China on AVs. That’s a potential path for us.”
So while Australia doesn’t yet have a Waymo or Momenta-style deal, Uber hints it could be on the horizon.
Originally published as Uber and Momenta to start testing autonomous ride-sharing service in Germany
Brutal truth about Aus e-bikes exposed
