Summary:
Uber partners with Momenta to enhance its autonomous vehicle capabilities.
The robotaxi service will launch in Europe in early 2026.
Momenta CEO emphasizes the partnership's role in scaling autonomous driving globally.
Uber faces competition from Tesla, which plans to launch its own robotaxi service soon.
Uber sold its self-driving unit to Aurora Innovation in 2020.
In Brief
Uber announced on May 2, 2025, its latest partnership in the autonomous vehicle sector with Chinese self-driving company Momenta. This strategic move aims to bolster Uber's already dominant position in ride-hailing and delivery services by leveraging external self-driving technology rather than developing it in-house.
Key Details:
The partnership was announced shortly after Uber onboarded May Mobility, another autonomous vehicle collaborator. Other notable partners include Volkswagen, Waymo, and WeRide. Uber plans to integrate Momenta’s robotaxis into its platform starting in Europe in early 2026, ensuring the presence of safety operators in the vehicles.
Momenta's Insight:
Momenta's CEO, Xudong Cao, stated that this collaboration “completes the key ecosystem needed to scale autonomous driving globally.”
Competitive Landscape:
As Uber expands its partnerships, it prepares for potential competition from Tesla, which is set to launch its own robotaxi service in Austin this summer. Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has claimed that all Tesla vehicles will eventually become fully autonomous with a simple software update.
Interestingly, Uber previously had its own self-driving division but sold it to Aurora Innovation in 2020.
Stay tuned for more developments in the autonomous vehicle industry!
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