Mercedes-Benz Accelerates into Abu Dhabi’s Robotaxi Arena with Momenta

Forget the showroom floor. The real race for luxury automakers is now on the streets, and Mercedes-Benz just hit the gas in a major new market.

Autonomous Ambition Meets Oil Money

Teaming up with Chinese autonomous driving powerhouse Momenta, the three-pointed star is planting its flag in Abu Dhabi's burgeoning robotaxi scene. This isn't just a pilot program—it's a strategic land grab in a region pouring billions into a post-oil future built on smart tech and seamless mobility.

Why Abu Dhabi? Look at the Playbook.

The UAE's capital isn't betting small. With regulatory sandboxes, ambitious smart city goals, and a sovereign wealth fund that makes most venture capitalists look like lemonade stand operators, it's creating a perfect petri dish for autonomous tech. For Mercedes, it's a chance to refine its self-driving stack in complex, real-world conditions far from its home turf, while Momenta gets a prestigious global launchpad.

The Real Test is in the Traffic

Deploying in a desert metropolis presents unique challenges—from navigating complex interchanges to handling the region's distinctive driving culture. Success here proves scalability. Failure? Well, let's just say it's a long way back to Stuttgart.

A Cynical Finance Footnote

Of course, watching a legacy automaker and a tech unicorn chase robotaxi dreams in a land built on fossil fuels does have a certain poetic irony—almost like using a gold-plated shovel to dig your own grave, just in case the future arrives a bit late to the party.

TLDRs;

• Mercedes-Benz partners with Momenta to launch Level 4 robotaxis in Abu Dhabi using next-gen S-Class vehicles.
• Abu Dhabi approves driverless cars; Mercedes tests Level 4 automation on next-gen S-Class.
• Collaboration with Momenta provides Mercedes critical driverless data for future global rollouts.
• Mercedes’ MB.OS platform enables development of autonomous apps, from teleoperations to payments.
• Abu Dhabi robotaxi market grows; partnerships extend to logistics, medical transport, and e-commerce.

Mercedes-Benz is making its debut in the robotaxi sector through a strategic partnership with China-based autonomous-driving company Momenta Global.

The collaboration will see self-driving vehicles deployed under Lumo Mobility in Abu Dhabi, marking the German automaker’s first foray into fully autonomous ride-hailing services. The project leverages Mercedes’ advanced MB.OS software platform, bringing cutting-edge Level 4 automated driving to the Middle East.

Level 4 Automation Comes to Abu Dhabi

The initiative introduces Level 4 automation, where vehicles can operate without driver input under defined conditions. Mercedes’ next-generation S-Class, set to debut in January 2026, will serve as the first platform for this autonomous technology.

Abu Dhabi recently issued its first permits for fully driverless vehicles, making it the first city in the MENA region to allow such services. This regulatory approval provides Mercedes and Momenta with a live environment to validate autonomous driving technology in real-world conditions.

Partnership Accelerates Data Collection and Insights

Momenta Global, founded in 2016, is supplying the autonomous driving systems for the robotaxi project. The company is also preparing a pilot program with Uber in Germany for 2026, pending regulatory approval. In Abu Dhabi, Mercedes will gain access to extensive operational data, including insights from Lumo Mobility’s existing operations.

These learnings are expected to accelerate Mercedes’ broader autonomous vehicle strategy, potentially informing future global rollouts once local and international regulations permit.

MB.OS Powers Advanced Applications

The deployment will rely on Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which provides a software framework for building advanced applications for autonomous vehicles. While the original Mercedes Mobile SDK is archived, MB.OS continues to allow integration of teleoperations, predictive maintenance, in-cabin payments, and cybersecurity features.

Local partners are encouraged to explore sensor fusion, high-definition mapping, and remote assistance capabilities, offering flexibility for developers and commercial operators in Abu Dhabi’s emerging autonomous ecosystem.

Commercial Impact and Regional Expansion

Lumo Mobility, a K2 Group subsidiary, currently operates multiple commercial partnerships in the UAE, spanning logistics, e-commerce deliveries, and temperature-controlled medical transport. The integration of Mercedes’ autonomous S-Class vehicles into this network could redefine urban mobility in the region.

Companies such as Talabat and Noon, already active in delivery services, may benefit from autonomous technology to optimize operations. This expansion underscores Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a regional hub for driverless vehicle innovation.

Mercedes-Benz’s entry into Abu Dhabi’s robotaxi market highlights the growing global push toward autonomous mobility. By combining its engineering expertise with Momenta’s autonomous-driving software, Mercedes is poised to gain a strategic foothold in one of the world’s most progressive cities for driverless vehicle deployment.