Uber Partners With Chinese Firms to Expand Robotaxi Reach in Europe, Middle East
▼ Summary
– Uber announced a partnership with Chinese AV company Pony AI to launch robotaxis in a key Middle Eastern market later this year.
– Uber also revealed partnerships with Chinese firms Momenta and WeRide to expand robotaxi services in Europe and the Middle East over the next five years.
– These deals add to Uber’s existing 15+ autonomous vehicle partnerships, mostly with U.S. firms like Waymo, as it seeks global expansion in the robotaxi sector.
– Uber is accelerating partnerships with Chinese AV companies, which are already expanding internationally, to counter competition and reassure investors amid challenges.
– Pony AI’s partnership with Uber aims to scale deployment to more international markets, with initial robotaxi rides including a safety operator during the pilot phase.
Uber is accelerating its autonomous vehicle ambitions through strategic partnerships with leading Chinese tech firms, signaling a bold push into Europe and the Middle East’s robotaxi markets. The ride-hailing giant recently unveiled collaborations with three major players—Pony AI, Momenta, and WeRide—marking its third major alliance with Chinese autonomous driving companies this year.
The agreement with Pony AI, valued at $5.25 billion following its Nasdaq debut, will introduce robotaxis to a key Middle Eastern market later this year. Meanwhile, Momenta will help Uber deploy autonomous taxis across Europe starting in 2026, while WeRide aims to expand services to 15 cities in Europe and the Middle East within five years. Notably, Uber and WeRide have already launched a commercial robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, demonstrating early traction in the region.
These partnerships add to Uber’s extensive network of over 15 autonomous vehicle alliances, which includes U.S.-based leaders like Waymo and May Mobility. However, the latest deals highlight a deliberate shift toward leveraging China’s rapidly advancing AV sector, where companies are already making inroads globally. WeRide, for instance, operates commercial services in Beijing and France, while Pony AI has expanded testing to Luxembourg after establishing paid robotaxi operations in three Chinese cities.
The aggressive expansion comes as Uber faces mounting pressures, including competition from Tesla’s upcoming robotaxi launch, regulatory scrutiny, and potential economic headwinds. By aligning with Chinese firms that have proven international scalability, Uber aims to reassure investors of its growth potential in an increasingly crowded market.
Pony AI’s collaboration with Uber provides a strategic foothold in the Middle East, where Uber already dominates following its 2019 acquisition of regional rival Careem. The companies plan to gradually introduce autonomous rides with safety operators before transitioning to fully driverless operations.
With Uber’s first-quarter earnings call approaching, analysts expect further details on how these partnerships fit into the company’s broader strategy—including its recent move to acquire a controlling stake in a Turkish food delivery service. As the race for autonomous mobility heats up, Uber’s latest alliances position it as a formidable contender in the global robotaxi landscape.
(Source: TechCrunch)
