Uber Teams With China’s Momenta for Self-Driving Cars
▼ Summary
– Uber announced a new partnership with Chinese self-driving firm Momenta, adding to its roster of AV collaborators.
– Momenta’s robotaxis will be available on Uber’s app in Europe starting in early 2026, with safety operators onboard.
– Uber’s AV partnerships include May Mobility, Volkswagen, Waymo, and others, spanning ride-hail, delivery, and trucking.
– The company may face competition from Tesla, which plans to launch a robotaxi service in Austin this summer.
– Uber sold its self-driving unit to Aurora Innovation in 2020 and now relies on partners for autonomous tech.
Uber has forged a new strategic alliance with Chinese autonomous driving company Momenta, marking another significant step in its pursuit of self-driving technology integration. The partnership will introduce Momenta’s robotaxis to Uber’s European platform by early 2026, with trained safety operators initially present in vehicles.
This collaboration follows closely on the heels of Uber’s deal with May Mobility, an Ann Arbor-based autonomous vehicle firm. The ride-hailing giant continues to expand its network of AV partners, which already includes industry heavyweights like Volkswagen, Waymo, and WeRide. By leveraging external expertise rather than developing proprietary systems, Uber accelerates its path toward autonomous ride-hailing without the heavy R&D costs.
Momenta’s CEO, Xudong Cao, emphasized that this partnership strengthens the ecosystem required for global autonomous driving expansion. Uber’s aggressive deal-making spans multiple sectors, including freight and delivery, as it prepares for potential competition from Tesla. Elon Musk’s company plans to debut its robotaxi service in Austin this summer, with ambitions to convert existing Tesla vehicles into autonomous ride-hailing fleets through software updates.
Uber previously operated its own self-driving division but sold it to Aurora Innovation in 2020, shifting its strategy toward partnerships instead of in-house development. This latest move reinforces Uber’s commitment to integrating autonomous technology while mitigating financial and technical risks. The company’s multi-pronged approach positions it as a key player in the evolving mobility landscape.
(Source: TechCrunch)
