In a move poised to reshape the landscape of European transportation, Uber Technologies Inc. announced Friday a sweeping partnership with Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta to deploy robotaxis across European cities by 2026. The agreement, which comes as competition in the ride-hailing sector intensifies and as regulatory scrutiny of self-driving technology mounts, marks Uber’s most ambitious push yet to make fully driverless rides a reality on a global scale.

Under the deal, Uber will integrate Momenta’s autonomous vehicle technology into its European ride-hailing network, allowing customers to hail self-driving cars operated by a mix of Uber partners and local fleet operators. The companies plan to launch pilots as early as 2026 in select European markets, though neither company specified the initial cities. Uber said the partnership will tap Momenta’s “level four” autonomous vehicle systems, which enable vehicles to navigate complex urban environments without human intervention.

“Partnering with Momenta is a significant step forward in our vision to make autonomous rides accessible to everyone, everywhere,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s chief executive, in an interview. “Europe is a core market for Uber, and we’re committed to working with regulators and cities to make sure this technology is rolled out safely and responsibly.”

A New Front in the Robotaxi Race

The tie-up signals Uber’s latest gambit to deliver on the promise of autonomous vehicles after years of uneven progress, high-profile setbacks, and billions in investment. Uber sold its in-house Advanced Technologies Group to Aurora Innovation in 2020 but has remained active in forging collaborations with a variety of automated mobility startups. Just a day before the Momenta announcement, Uber also revealed a new initiative with May Mobility to pilot robotaxis in select U.S. cities.

Momenta, a Beijing-based company, has rapidly established itself as a leading player in the global self-driving sector, attracting backing from automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and Toyota alongside Chinese tech giants. The startup has developed deep learning-based software that enables urban navigation without relying on detailed maps—an approach that could prove well-suited to Europe’s labyrinthine city streets and varying local regulations.

Momenta’s approach differentiates it from American rivals such as Waymo and Cruise, which typically require painstakingly detailed digital maps to operate their vehicles, potentially making rapid European expansion more feasible. “Our partnership with Uber is a clear testament to the maturity and scalability of autonomous technologies in diverse and challenging markets,” said Xudong Cao, Momenta’s founder and CEO.

Regulatory and Commercial Hurdles Ahead

The Uber-Momenta deal lands at a time when momentum for robotaxis is reviving after a period of high-profile accidents and regulatory pushback. Local governments across Europe have imposed strict safety and data privacy requirements on autonomous vehicles, which Uber and Momenta will need to navigate aggressively. Observers see Uber’s pivot from developing its own hardware to partnering with specialist firms as both pragmatic and necessary.

While Uber did not disclose financial details or volume expectations for the launch, executives indicated that the rollout would initially supplement—not replace—human drivers. The company said it is in active discussions with European regulators to ensure safe deployment, and expects the technology to operate alongside Uber’s traditional ride-hailing services for the foreseeable future.

The partnership comes as Uber’s core ride-sharing business has rebounded strongly post-pandemic, with shares gaining more than 4% on Friday amid a broader rally in tech stocks. Investors welcomed the company’s shift towards automation as a potential margin driver, citing the future prospect of reducing labor costs and achieving round-the-clock vehicle utilization.

Global Stakes for Mobility

For Momenta, the Uber linkup provides a crucial avenue into the highly regulated and competitive European market, an arena that has long eluded many non-European technology firms. Europe, with its densely populated cities, well-developed public transportation infrastructure, and robust regulatory frameworks, presents both technical challenges and the opportunity for large-scale adoption.

Other global automakers and mobility players are accelerating their self-driving efforts across the continent, with Volkswagen-backed Mobileye and Stellantis among those investing heavily. Uber’s original entry into robotaxis in the U.S. was stymied by cost overruns and a fatal testing incident in 2018. By taking the role of an aggregator and platform operator—rather than technology developer—Uber is signaling a new, less capital-intensive strategy.

“This is a logical next step for Uber,” said Tim Dawkins, an automated vehicle policy expert at the World Economic Forum. “The model leverages its network effects and global reach, while spreading the risk and capital requirements across partners.”

Looking forward, both companies are betting that shifting consumer attitudes and pragmatic regulatory frameworks will pave the way for autonomous ride-hailing to move from science project to everyday reality. If successful, the venture could provide a long-term blueprint for how global tech platforms and regional AI champions collaborate in an era increasingly defined by self-driving technology.