Uber partners with Chinese AV firms to expand robotaxi services across Europe and the Middle East

Uber has announced a series of strategic collaborations with Chinese autonomous vehicle (AV) companies to accelerate its presence in the robotaxi industry across Europe and the Middle East. The latest deal involves Guangzhou-based Pony AI, with plans to roll out robotaxi services in a major Middle Eastern market by the end of 2025. This follows Uber’s earlier announcements of partnerships with Momenta and WeRide. Uber and WeRide already operate a commercial service in Abu Dhabi, and their expansion plan includes 15 additional cities over the next five years. Meanwhile, Uber will work with Momenta to bring robotaxi services to Europe in 2026.

These deals reflect Uber’s strategy to maintain its competitive edge amid industry challenges, including new competition from Tesla’s upcoming robotaxi debut in Austin and regulatory scrutiny over business practices. Chinese AV firms like WeRide and Pony are also rapidly expanding internationally, with operations already in cities across China, France, and Luxembourg. By leveraging these partnerships, Uber aims to scale up and reassure investors of its growth potential in autonomous mobility. Initially, the robotaxi services will include safety operators before transitioning to full autonomy. The company’s upcoming earnings call may offer further insights into its broader growth agenda, including its recent move to acquire a controlling stake in a Turkish food delivery platform.