Uber Plans to Test Fully Autonomous Vehicles in Munich

Ride-hailing giant Uber, in collaboration with its partner Momenta, is set to initiate trials of fully autonomous vehicles in Munich starting in 2026. This effort aims to integrate Level 4 autonomous driving technology into Uber's operations, allowing cars to navigate specific areas without human intervention under certain conditions.

This partnership, which was first announced in May, will leverage Momenta's AI-driven technology within Uber's global framework. The companies aspire to deliver safe, scalable, and efficient autonomous transport services throughout Europe, with Germany chosen as the launchpad for Uber's Level 4 program.

Munich has been identified as the initial city for these trials due to its rich engineering heritage, robust automotive ecosystem, and openness to innovation. According to Uber, the city is ideally positioned to lead the way in bringing autonomous mobility to European roads.

CEO Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized Germany's historical significance in shaping the global automotive industry and expressed confidence that Munich will play a pivotal role in the future of autonomous vehicles.

Momenta, a notable player in the autonomous vehicle sector, has previously partnered with leading German automotive brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The company utilizes its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) technology in vehicles targeted for the Chinese market.

In addition to its ongoing operations in China, where it manages a fleet of self-driving taxis, Momenta employs a data-driven approach known as the "Flywheel" model. This method focuses on continual learning from real-world driving scenarios to refine algorithms, ultimately striving for a more human-like driving experience.

While Europe lags behind the United States and China in terms of autonomous driving advancements, there are signs that the market for robotaxi services is beginning to expand. Besides Uber and Momenta, other companies, including Baidu and Lyft, are also preparing to launch self-driving taxi services in the UK and Germany in 2026. Volkswagen is similarly testing autonomous vehicles in Germany, with plans to introduce its own robotaxi service in Hamburg next year.