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Uber and Momenta to Launch Level 4 Self-Driving Tests in Munich in 2026

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Uber and Chinese autonomous driving firm Momenta announced Monday that they will begin testing Level 4 self-driving vehicles in Munich, Germany, starting next year. The move marks Uber’s latest push to expand its robotaxi business beyond the U.S. and China.

Level 4 autonomy refers to vehicles capable of fully automated driving within defined conditions, though regulators still require safety oversight. Germany has emerged as a key testbed for autonomous mobility, with favorable legal frameworks and major automakers advancing the technology.

Uber has sought to secure its place in the robotaxi race through partnerships with Waymo (Alphabet), Lucid, and WeRide, while rivals like Tesla are also scaling their autonomous taxi services.

For its part, Momenta brings significant real-world experience. Its driver-assistance technology is already deployed in 400,000 vehicles globally through automaker partnerships. The collaboration with Uber, first announced in May, aims to accelerate deployment in international markets outside the U.S. and China.

The launch in Munich underscores the intensifying global competition in autonomous mobility, even as regulators maintain tight scrutiny following high-profile accidents in the sector.

US Auto Safety Agency Reviews Tesla’s Responses on Robotaxi Safety Ahead of Deployment

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The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently reviewing Tesla’s answers regarding the safety of its upcoming robotaxi service, particularly how the self-driving vehicles will perform in poor weather conditions. This review comes ahead of Tesla’s planned limited launch of its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, which could begin as early as this weekend.

Tesla has reportedly invited a small group of people to participate in a test of the robotaxi service, with posts and screenshots on social media showing that a Tesla employee will accompany riders in the front passenger seat. NHTSA had requested detailed information from Tesla by June 19 to better understand the company’s safety protocols and technology for the robotaxi rollout.

The agency’s ongoing probe covers 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, following multiple collisions in reduced visibility conditions, including a fatal crash in 2023. NHTSA’s questions focus on how Tesla plans to ensure safety in challenging conditions such as fog, sun glare, rain, dust, or snow, and what the vehicle’s response would be if such conditions arise during a ride.

Additionally, the agency has sought clarity on how many vehicles will be deployed as robotaxis and the timeline for wider availability, especially for vehicles operated by third parties rather than Tesla directly. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has emphasized a strong safety focus for the upcoming trial, with humans remotely monitoring the vehicles during operations.

Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and NHTSA said it will update the public file once its review is complete.

Honda-backed Helm.ai Unveils Vision System for Self-Driving Cars

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Helm.ai, a California-based startup backed by Honda Motor, introduced its new camera-based urban environment interpretation system called Helm.ai Vision. The company is negotiating with multiple automakers to integrate its self-driving technology into mass-market vehicles.

Helm.ai is collaborating with Honda to embed the system in the upcoming 2026 Honda Zero series of electric vehicles, which will enable hands-free driving and allow drivers to take their eyes off the road.

CEO and founder Vladislav Voroninski told Reuters that the company’s business model centers on licensing this software, including foundation model software, to automakers. Helm.ai’s vision-focused system aligns with Tesla’s approach, relying on cameras rather than sensors like lidar or radar, which can add significant costs.

Voroninski acknowledged Helm.ai’s foundation models can work with other sensors but emphasized that the primary offering remains vision-centric. Industry experts, however, highlight that supplementary sensors such as lidar and radar are vital for safety, especially under poor visibility conditions.

In contrast, robotaxi companies like Alphabet’s Waymo and May Mobility use a sensor fusion approach combining radar, lidar, and cameras to ensure comprehensive environment perception.

Helm.ai has raised $102 million to date, with investors including Goodyear Ventures, Korean auto parts maker Sungwoo HiTech, and Amplo.

The Helm.ai Vision system merges inputs from multiple cameras to create a bird’s-eye view map that enhances vehicle planning and control. It is optimized for hardware platforms from Nvidia, Qualcomm, and others, facilitating automakers’ integration of Helm.ai Vision into existing vehicle systems.