Uber and Israeli autonomous driving technology firm Autobrains announced on Monday a collaboration with U.S. chipmaker Nvidia to launch an autonomous taxi project in Munich, Germany, marking a significant step towards scaling up self-driving ride-hailing services in Europe.

The three companies stated their plan involves integrating Uber's mobility network, Autobrains' AI-powered intelligent driving system, and Nvidia's Drive Hyperion autonomous vehicle platform. The project is slated to commence operations in Munich first, pending regulatory approval.

This initiative moves away from the traditional model of exclusive partnerships with single automakers. It is designed to be compatible with multiple vehicle types and expandable across various city markets, aiming to break the current pattern where autonomous taxi services are largely confined to small-scale pilot programs.

Autobrains' technological approach decomposes driving behavior into multiple specialized decision-making modules. This system can provide real-time responses to road conditions using standard vehicle-mounted sensors.

Munich has emerged as a significant testing ground for autonomous driving technologies. Uber had previously indicated plans to begin autonomous vehicle road testing in the city starting in 2026.