Mercedes-Benz has entered a strategic collaboration with autonomous driving specialist Momenta to develop a premium robotaxi service built on the S-Class sedan. The initiative also brings in Lumo, a local mobility provider, which will manage fleet operations. Together, the partners aim to introduce a driverless shuttle service following a successful early testing phase.
The first stage of the project will roll out in Abu Dhabi, where initial S-Class robotaxi test vehicles are set to operate on public roads. Lumo will act as the on-ground fleet operator, overseeing daily operations and service deployment. The company is a subsidiary of K2, a technology firm that recently secured federal authorization to operate autonomous vehicles across the United Arab Emirates.
With regulatory approval now in place, Abu Dhabi will serve as the pilot city, though the partners are already evaluating potential expansion into additional markets. Beyond demonstrating technical feasibility, the program is expected to generate valuable real-world data to support future commercial robotaxi services as well as customer-facing autonomous driving applications.
A core enabler of the project is Mercedes-Benz’s in-house operating system, MB.OS, which underpins the latest generation of the S-Class. The platform allows the automaker to centrally manage vehicle functions while tightly integrating hardware and software components. According to Mercedes-Benz, this unified architecture is critical for ensuring safety, reliability, and scalability in highly automated driving environments.
While working closely with Momenta, Mercedes-Benz is also pursuing parallel autonomous driving efforts. One such initiative explores a robotaxi ecosystem built around Nvidia’s Drive AV platform, targeting SAE Level 4 automation. Running multiple development tracks simultaneously enables the automaker to accelerate progress and diversify its technology stack as it advances toward fully autonomous mobility solutions.
Across these projects, the S-Class remains the cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s Level 4 strategy. The flagship sedan combines high-end automotive engineering with advanced computing capabilities, positioning it as the ideal platform for chauffeur-style autonomous experiences that emphasize comfort, safety, and performance.
Beyond the Middle East, Mercedes-Benz continues to expand its autonomous testing footprint globally. The company recently became the first international automaker to receive approval for SAE Level 4 testing in Beijing. These trials take place on designated urban roads and highways, allowing engineers to evaluate system behavior under real traffic conditions.
The Beijing test vehicles are equipped with a comprehensive sensor suite designed for high-level automation. This includes LiDAR systems for precise depth measurement, radar sensors for detecting objects in complex environments, and cameras for detailed visual recognition. Together, these sensors support robust multi-sensor perception and decision-making.
Mercedes-Benz’s push toward autonomy builds on a long history of driver assistance innovation. The automaker has offered SAE Level 2 systems for years, supporting steering and speed control. More recent advancements include MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO, which enables point-to-point assisted navigation.
In 2021, Mercedes-Benz also achieved a major milestone by securing the first international approval for conditionally automated driving. Its DRIVE PILOT system currently stands as the world’s fastest SAE Level 3 solution, with plans to increase its operational speed to 130 km/h within the next five years.
