Mercedes-Benz and Momenta announced a partnership to launch a Level 4 robotaxi service based on the new S-Class. Initial trials will take place in Abu Dhabi, with Lumo — a unit of tech company K2 — operating the service. Mercedes-Benz says the S-Class software platform is the linchpin that makes driverless rides feasible.

K2 has already secured federal authorization to run autonomous vehicles in the UAE. In the near term, S-Class test cars will begin operating on Abu Dhabi’s roads. If the pilot proves successful, the program could expand to additional markets. Choosing Abu Dhabi as the launchpad looks like a pragmatic move, given that approval is already in hand.

This initiative complements Mercedes-Benz’s broader work on autonomy, spanning solutions for private owners and commercial use. The manufacturer is also exploring potential robotaxi collaborations built on the Nvidia Drive AV platform. Taken together, the strategy points to a measured rollout: validate the tech in a dedicated fleet while keeping paths open for consumer features and future partners.