Mercedes-Benz outlines S-Class-based robotaxi ecosystem

Mercedes-Benz reports progress in building a Level 4 robotaxi ecosystem based on the new S-Class, with partners NVIDIA, Uber and Momenta. Read the details.

Mercedes-Benz is taking a decisive step toward automated mobility by accelerating the development of a robotaxi ecosystem built around the new S-Class. The company is positioning its flagship sedan as the foundation for premium autonomous transport, supported by a network of technology and mobility partners.

At the core of the strategy is the new S-Class, designed from the outset to support fail-operational driving. The vehicle integrates redundancies for steering, braking, computing and power supply, allowing it to safely complete maneuvers or come to a controlled stop even in the event of component failures. This architecture aligns with the requirements of SAE Level 4 automated driving, where the system itself is responsible for safety within defined operating conditions.

A key technology partner in this effort is NVIDIA. Mercedes-Benz is integrating the NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion platform and the full NVIDIA DRIVE AV Level 4 software stack into its robotaxi ecosystem. The collaboration also includes NVIDIA Alpamayo, which provides open AI models, simulation tools and datasets aimed at handling rare and complex traffic scenarios and supporting reasoning-based, safety-focused autonomy. Beyond robotaxis, NVIDIA is also contributing its expertise to the development of Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation driver assistance systems.

In parallel, Mercedes-Benz is advancing another Level 4 project in cooperation with Momenta. The mobility provider Lumo, a subsidiary of the technology company K2, plans to operate a fleet of S-Class robotaxis, with initial testing scheduled to take place on public roads in Abu Dhabi. The emirate has established a regulatory framework for the commercial deployment of fully autonomous vehicles, making it a strategic starting point with potential for expansion to additional regions.

Uber is also part of the broader ecosystem, positioned as a future mobility service provider. Together, these partnerships reflect Mercedes-Benz’s approach to building an open robotaxi platform in which vehicle technology, software architecture and service operations evolve in parallel.

The technological backbone of the initiative is formed by MB.OS and MB.DRIVE, Mercedes-Benz’s proprietary digital systems. They enable seamless integration of hardware redundancy, automated driving functions and functional safety requirements. Over time, this architecture is expected to support scalable robotaxi services that preserve the brand’s standards for comfort, safety and technical sophistication, even in a fully driverless context.