Topics

Uber and Momenta to test autonomous vehicles in Germany in 2026

Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025

Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before Sept 26 to save up to $668.

Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025

Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before Sept 26 to save up to $668.

Most Popular

Scale AI’s former CTO launches AI agent that could solve big data’s biggest problem

OpenAI announces AI-powered hiring platform to take on LinkedIn

Tesla’s 4th ‘Master Plan’ reads like LLM-generated nonsense

BMW, I am so breaking up with you

US and Indian VCs just formed a $1B+ alliance to fund India’s deep tech startups

Homicide at Burning Man turns Silicon Valley’s desert playground into a crime scene

I’m really impressed with this $400 portable projector

Latest

Amazon

Apps

Biotech & Health

Climate

Cloud Computing

Commerce

Crypto

Enterprise

EVs

Fintech

Fundraising

Gadgets

Gaming

Google

Government & Policy

Hardware

Instagram

Layoffs

Media & Entertainment

Meta

Microsoft

Privacy

Robotics

Security

Social

Space

Startups

TikTok

Transportation

Venture

Events

Startup Battlefield

StrictlyVC

Newsletters

Podcasts

Videos

Partner Content

TechCrunch Brand Studio

Crunchboard

Uber and Momenta to test autonomous vehicles in Germany in 2026 Rebecca Bellan PM PDT · September 7, 2025 Ride-hailing giant Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle startup Momenta plan to start testing robotaxis in Munich, Germany starting in 2026 – the first continental European city either company has announced publicly – with plans to expand to other markets.

The partnership was first unveiled in May 2025, when Uber said Momenta-powered vehicles would launch on its platform in Europe in 2026, initially with human safety operators onboard to monitor the vehicles and take control if needed.

Momenta, founded in 2016, is one of China’s earliest autonomous vehicle (AV) companies. The Beijing-based startup has been testing self-driving cars in China since 2018 and is considered a major player in the country’s competitive AV market.

Uber’s move puts it in direct competition with other ride-hailing companies expanding into Europe’s AV market. For example, in August Lyft announced a deal with China’s Baidu to deploy robotaxis across Europe starting next year, beginning with Germany and the UK.

Momenta is one of 20 global AV partners that Uber has brought on board across its ride-hailing, delivery, and freight businesses. Uber says those partnerships have already generated an annualized rate of 1.5 million mobility and delivery trips.

In the U.S., Uber offers Waymo’s robotaxis on its app in Austin, Atlanta, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Internationally, Uber has partnered with Momenta and other Chinese AV startups, like WeRide and Pony.ai, to roll out robotaxis on the Uber platform in the Middle East. Uber and WeRide currently offer AV rides in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, with plans to expand to Dubai. Uber and UK-based Wayve also recently announced plans to launch public road trials of Level 4 AVs in London.

Techcrunch event Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025 Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before Sept 26 to save up to $668. Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025 Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before Sept 26 to save up to $668. San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025 REGISTER NOW (Level 4 autonomy means the vehicle can operate without human intervention under certain conditions.)

Uber said in a statement that it chose Munich as its European launchpad due to the city’s engineering heritage and strong automotive ecosystem.

“Germany has shaped the global automotive industry for more than a century, and now Munich will help shape the future with autonomous vehicles,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, in a statement.

TechCrunch has reached out to Uber and Momenta to learn whether they have already begun the certification process in Germany yet. Momenta will need to prove to German regulators that its vehicles meet certain safety standards and have its designed operating areas (called “geo-fenced zones”) approved

The launch could be Momenta’s first robotaxi deployment in Europe. The company has been operating a service in Shanghai with plans for a commercial rollout with onboard safety operators

Topics

Rebecca Bellan Senior

Rebecca Bellan is a senior

You can contact or verify outreach from Rebecca

October 27-29, 2025 San Francisco Founders: land your investor and sharpen your pitch. Investors: discover your next breakout startup. Innovators: claim a front-row seat to the future. Join 10,000+ tech leaders at the epicenter of innovation. Register now and save up to $668.Regular Bird rates end September 26

Most Popular Scale AI’s former CTO launches AI agent that could solve big data’s biggest problem Julie Bort

OpenAI announces AI-powered hiring platform to take on LinkedIn Maxwell Zeff

Tesla’s 4th ‘Master Plan’ reads like LLM-generated nonsense Sean O'Kane

BMW, I am so breaking up with you Connie Loizos

US and Indian VCs just formed a $1B+ alliance to fund India’s deep tech startups Jagmeet Singh

Homicide at Burning Man turns Silicon Valley’s desert playground into a crime scene Connie Loizos

I’m really impressed with this $400 portable projector Lauren Forristal

X LinkedIn Facebook Instagram youTube Mastodon Threads Bluesky TechCrunchStaffContact UsAdvertiseCrunchboard JobsSite Map Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyRSS Terms of UseCode of Conduct TelsaAnthropicTelexKlarnaMrBeastTech LayoffsChatGPT © 2025 TechCrunch Media LLC.