Uber tests autonomous driving in Munich with AI startup Autobrains

Uber and Israeli start-up Autobrains announced today their collaboration on autonomous vehicles in Munich. Golem reports that the companies are using a new AI-based approach to self-driving that combines aerial imagery and camera data. Testing is scheduled to begin in 2026 and marks a turning point for the robotaxi industry in Germany.

The project combines three components: Uber's ride-booking platform, Nvidia's Drive Hyperion technology for autonomous driving, and Autobrains' AI developments. Manager Magazin explains that this combination enables Uber to scale the service faster than previous approaches. Autobrains' agentic AI is designed to handle complex traffic situations in a major city – a technical challenge that previous systems have often failed to solve reliably.

Economic incentives and cost savings

For mobility providers like Uber, the economic incentive is clear: Der Spiegel points out that autonomous driving promises significant savings in personnel costs. Driver salaries make up a large portion of operating costs – eliminating drivers means significantly higher margins per ride.

Munich as a test city makes strategic sense. The city has an established tech scene, good infrastructure, and regulatory openness to mobility innovations. This makes Munich a pilot market for a business model that could affect millions of drivers worldwide – once the technology works reliably and legal issues are clarified.