Next year, Dubai streets could see a surge of self-driving taxis. Momenta Global, a Chinese company focused on autonomous driving, wants to put thousands of its robotaxis on the road. This is not a small step. Dubai is about to become a real-world test site for large-scale autonomous vehicles. According to Reuters, Momenta aims to have several thousand robotaxis in Dubai by the end of next year. The company has already run pilot programs in Abu Dhabi and Munich.
Momenta Global started with a former Microsoft researcher at the helm. Mercedes-Benz backs the company. Toyota and BYD are also partners. Momenta has placed more than 100 autonomous vehicles in three countries so far. Its driver-assistance software is already in use by carmakers. The taxi fleet, though, is still in early testing. Right now, trials are running in five Chinese cities, plus Munich and Abu Dhabi. The company's robotaxi operations now cover six cities in three countries. Commercial launches are planned for Shanghai and Abu Dhabi in 2026, as shown in recent investor materials.
Dubai and Europe in the crosshairs
Shuo Xie, who leads Momenta's robotaxi business, says the company is talking with several European cities. Dubai is next on the list. The plan is to start with hundreds of vehicles by the end of this year. By the end of next year, the fleet could reach several thousand. Japan is also in the company's sights. But Dubai is set to be the flagship project outside China. The National reports that Dubai's rules and openness to new ideas have made it a magnet for global mobility companies.
The race is on. Momenta faces tough rivals like Alphabet's Waymo and China's Pony.ai. Its pilot runs in Munich and Abu Dhabi show the company's global ambitions. Dubai stands out. The city's rules and hunger for new tech make it a prime launchpad. The Dubai Economic Agenda D33 backs this up. The plan is to double Dubai's economy and put it among the world's top innovation hubs by 2033.
Dubai's self-driving vision accelerates
Dubai's own transport leaders are moving fast. Dubai Taxi Company has already rolled out fully autonomous, AI-powered taxis. This is part of a bigger plan. The city wants 25% of all journeys to be self-driving by 2030. That's a bold target. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has set up rules to make sure autonomous vehicles fit in safely. These rules follow directions from the Dubai Media Office and the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
Dubai's open approach to new transport tech has drawn global attention. Recent coverage shows Chinese firms using Dubai as a launchpad for global growth. If Momenta's fleet arrives, Dubai's role as a testbed for next-generation transport will only grow. Emirates News Agency (WAM) reports that foreign direct investment in Dubai's tech sector hit record highs in 2025. The city is betting big on digital transformation and smart infrastructure.
Momenta's push is more than a tech upgrade. It's a direct challenge to old ways of getting around. Dubai's streets could soon show what AI-driven transport looks like at scale. For people living in or visiting the city, hailing a self-driving taxi may soon be routine. Dubai's drive for rapid change, with clear goals and strong rules, sets a high bar for other cities. Few can match it.
