Chinese autonomous-driving company Momenta is preparing to launch robotaxi services in Dubai in 2027 as it accelerates its international expansion and targets large-scale deployment of driverless vehicles.
Backed by Mercedes-Benz, the company is aiming to increase its robotaxi fleet from just over 100 vehicles to several thousand by the end of 2027. Dubai is among its next target markets, alongside additional European destinations and Japan.
Momenta is already testing autonomous vehicles in Abu Dhabi, Munich and five cities in China. Its planned expansion into Dubai would strengthen its presence in the Gulf as the UAE continues to develop its autonomous-mobility sector.
Shuo Xie, head of Momenta’s robotaxi business, told Reuters that the company expects its fleet to reach hundreds of vehicles by the end of 2026 before expanding to several thousand by the end of 2027.
The company has not disclosed how many robotaxis it plans to deploy in Dubai, which areas the service could cover or whether it has secured a local operating partner.
Dubai Emerges as a Target for Autonomous Mobility
Dubai offers Momenta an opportunity to demonstrate that its autonomous-driving technology can operate commercially beyond China.
The UAE is attracting growing interest from autonomous-vehicle companies as transport authorities explore driverless technology as a potential way to improve mobility, road safety and transport efficiency.
A Dubai launch would place Momenta in an increasingly competitive market alongside other companies developing autonomous transport services. However, the scale and timing of its proposed deployment will depend on operational requirements, regulatory approvals and local partnerships.
Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and BYD Among Automotive Partners
Founded by a former Microsoft researcher, Momenta operates two main businesses: developing advanced driver-assistance systems for automakers and building technology for fully autonomous robotaxis.
Its automotive partners include Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and BYD, giving the company links to major global vehicle manufacturers.
Despite these partnerships, expanding from testing operations to large commercial robotaxi fleets remains a costly undertaking. Momenta continues to invest heavily in research and development and has yet to achieve profitability.
The company’s planned international growth will therefore depend not only on the performance of its autonomous-driving technology but also on its ability to reduce operating costs and establish commercially sustainable services.
Momenta Seeks to Reduce Autonomous-Driving Costs
Momenta raised approximately $751 million through an initial public offering in Hong Kong in July 2026. Its shares subsequently fell around 45 per cent from their offer price, according to the supplied report.
Reducing the cost of autonomous-driving hardware is one of the company’s priorities as it prepares to expand its fleet.
Momenta is working with chip company XHeart on processors designed for its autonomous-driving software. Xie said the chips are expected to cost significantly less than products offering comparable computing power from Nvidia.
XHeart is also developing a next-generation processor, the X9, which Momenta hopes to use in future robotaxi deployments.
Dubai Could Become a Key International Showcase
Momenta’s proposed Dubai expansion forms part of a broader effort to turn its automotive partnerships and autonomous-driving technology into large-scale commercial services.
A successful launch could give the company a stronger foothold in the Gulf and provide an international showcase for its technology.
However, important details remain unconfirmed, including the planned fleet size in Dubai, the areas to be served and the identity of any local operating partner.
As competition in autonomous mobility intensifies, Momenta will need to demonstrate that it can scale its operations safely and reliably while controlling costs. Its planned 2027 expansion will be an important test of whether the company can translate its technological ambitions into a sustainable international robotaxi business.
