are autonomous taxis driven by AI and algorithms coming to europe soon?
Uber and Momenta to test autonomous taxis in munich
Uber and Momenta have announced at IAA Mobility 2025 that they’re set to test AI-driven autonomous taxis in Munich, Germany, starting in 2026. First introduced in May 2025, the agreement hopes to bring the driverless transport system around Europe after it is implemented in the US and China. Munich, Germany, serves as the initial testing ground for the collaboration, with Uber and Momenta, a Chinese autonomous vehicle technology company, aiming to deploy Level 4 autonomous vehicles on Uber’s ridesharing platform as the end goal.
When this happens, self-driving taxis can start roaming around Europe as part of its daily transport system. At the moment, there are no commercial autonomous robotaxis available around the continent, mainly due to funding, (safety) regulations, and proper infrastructure. If the companies’ testing and all the necessary checks after have been completed and approved, passengers in Europe – at least in Munich, Germany – can request autonomous taxis through Uber using Momenta’s AI-driven vehicles.
all images courtesy of Momenta
cars that use real-world driving data from 400,000 vehicles
Momenta has a tech-driven process before taking its autonomous taxis to Uber. The company employs what it calls a two-leg strategy for autonomous vehicle development, with the first leg involving deploying Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. This approach allows Momenta to collect real-world driving data from 400,000 vehicles already on roads. The second leg focuses on developing full Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities for robotaxi applications.
The core technology relies on AI-first autonomous driving systems, the ones that process multiple data streams all at once. These systems use machine learning algorithms trained on massive datasets collected from real-world driving scenarios. The AI processes information from cameras, lidar sensors, radar systems, and GPS navigation to make real-time driving decisions, and the system continuously learns and improves through data collected from both ADAS-equipped vehicles and dedicated robotaxi operations.
Uber and Momenta are set to test AI-driven autonomous taxis in Munich, Germany, starting in 2026
multiple sensor technologies from lidar systems to cameras
Momenta’s autonomous taxis on Uber come with multiple sensor technologies, from the lidar systems that create detailed 3D maps of the vehicle’s surroundings to the cameras that provide visual recognition of traffic signs, lane markings, and other vehicles. Radar sensors detect objects in various weather conditions, and ultrasonic sensors assist with close-proximity navigation during parking and low-speed maneuvers.
The companies say that at first, safety operators will remain onboard during the testing phase in Munich, Germany, to monitor vehicle performance and intervene if necessary. The goal is to eventually operate without human safety drivers once the technology proves reliable. Level 4 systems may have geographical or weather-related limitations, meaning the vehicles can operate autonomously in designated areas and conditions but may require human takeover in edge cases or outside their operational parameters. At the present time, Uber and Momenta have only announced the testing phase of the autonomous taxis in Munich, Germany, starting in 2026.
the project hopes to bring the driverless transport system around Europe after it is implemented in the US and China
when this happens, self-driving taxis can start roaming around Europe as part of its daily transport system
project info:
companies: Uber, Momenta | @uber
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