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Uber Teams Up with Momenta to Bring Robotaxis to European Streets by 2026

Uber is accelerating its return to the autonomous vehicle space through a major international partnership with Momenta, a Beijing-based leader in self-driving technology. The two companies have inked a deal to launch robotaxi services in Europe starting in early 2026, marking a significant leap in Uber’s global ambitions for driverless mobility.

The robotaxi rollout will begin with safety operators onboard and aims to blend Uber’s vast ridesharing infrastructure with Momenta’s advanced AI-driven autonomous systems, ensuring a safe and scalable transition to driverless transport.

From Self-Driving Exit to Global Comeback

Uber once operated its own autonomous vehicle division, Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), but exited that business in 2020, selling ATG to Aurora Innovation, an Amazon-backed AV company. The deal included a $400 million investment by Uber into Aurora, as it pivoted to partnerships instead of in-house development.

Now, with robotaxi momentum rising globally, Uber is signaling a renewed commitment to autonomous technology — not by building it themselves, but by strategically partnering with the top players in the AV ecosystem.

Why Momenta?

Momenta, headquartered in Beijing and valued at over $5 billion, is one of China’s most promising autonomous driving startups. The company is renowned for its “two-leg” strategy:

• Mpilot: A mass-market assisted driving system already in production vehicles.
• MSD (Momenta Self-Driving): A full-stack autonomous driving platform aimed at Level 4 autonomy.

Momenta operates autonomous fleets in major Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou, and Beijing, and collaborates with top-tier OEMs including SAIC, Mercedes-Benz China, and Toyota China.

The partnership with Uber represents Momenta’s first major move into the European market.

What the CEOs Are Saying

“This collaboration brings together Uber’s global ridesharing expertise and Momenta’s AI-first autonomous driving technology,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in a press release. “It paves the way for a future where more riders around the world experience the benefits of reliable and affordable autonomous mobility.”

Xudong Cao, CEO of Momenta, added, “Uber completes the missing piece in the global autonomous driving puzzle. This agreement is a cornerstone in scaling self-driving technology worldwide.”

While the financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, industry insiders expect the move to significantly boost both companies' positions in the fast-expanding autonomous mobility market.

A Competitive Landscape Heats Up

The global robotaxi market is forecasted to reach $45 billion by 2030, with major players like Waymo, Cruise, Tesla, Baidu Apollo, and Motional battling for dominance. Uber has previously worked with Motional and Waymo in U.S. cities including Las Vegas and Phoenix, but some of those projects, such as Motional’s operations with Uber and Lyft, were paused in late 2024 due to cost and scaling challenges.

This new partnership with Momenta marks Uber’s most ambitious international AV initiative to date, and its first alliance with a Chinese autonomous tech firm.

What This Means for Investors and the Future of Uber

The partnership highlights Uber’s evolving strategy: shift from a purely ride-hailing model to a tech-enabled, multi-modal transport company. The addition of robotaxis could reduce operational costs in the long term, enhance profitability, and give Uber a competitive edge in markets with high labor shortages or regulatory pressure on gig work.

For investors, Uber's move signals a bet on automation, global expansion, and future cost reduction. Autonomous services are expected to significantly boost margins, with analysts at JP Morgan estimating that robotaxis could eventually cut driver-related expenses by up to 60%.

Uber’s stock has climbed over 22% year-to-date, driven by stronger-than-expected ride volumes, positive EBITDA, and a growing freight and delivery segment.

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Uber’s alliance with Momenta to launch robotaxis in Europe is more than just a business deal — it’s a strategic pivot back into the autonomous driving race. With safety operators, cutting-edge AI, and a global ridesharing footprint, Uber is positioning itself to be a long-term player in the future of mobility.

As competition ramps up and cities begin to prepare for autonomous transport infrastructure, all eyes will be on Uber and Momenta as they steer into Europe’s streets — robotaxis and all.

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