Madrid is among the cities where Uber plans to deploy self-driving cars for passenger transport before the end of 2026. The company has communicated this as part of its expansion strategy for autonomous mobility servicesautonomous mobility services, according to corporate information and media outlets such as Reuters or Bloomberg.
The announcement places Madrid among the chosen markets for the development of robotaxis, although what is planned for now is a roadmap, not an immediate start of operations. According to published information, there is no firm date for the start of the service, nor is there any definitive authorization for a commercial launch.
Autonomous vehicle
The company itself has framed the project within Uber Autonomous Solutions, its strategy to develop this type of transport in different international markets. The approach known so far involves a gradual rollout, conditioned by the regulatory framework and by agreements with technological partners.
The initial model could be developed progressively, with different implementation phases. The announcement also comes amid an international race for the development of the autonomous vehicle, in which different companies are accelerating tests and future commercial services.
The Weight of Uber and the Debate on Autonomous Driving
The arrival of robotaxis is also being considered at a time of expansion for the mobility platform business in Spain. Uber operates in dozens of Spanish cities and has consolidated its presence in markets such as Madrid, one of its main hubs of activity. The capital also concentrates a relevant part of the VTC sector, which explains why it appears as a potential scenario for testing new mobility models.
The announcement also fits into an international context of accelerating autonomous driving. Technology companies and transport platforms have been developing robotaxi services in cities in the United States and Asia for years, and Uber's move places Madrid within that global race to commercially introduce driverless cars.
The possible arrival of these services also opens a regulatory and sectoral debate. The implementation of robotaxis is linked not only to technological development, but also to issues of safety, legal responsibility, and coexistence with traditional taxis and VTCs, a debate that in Spain remains open and will predictably accompany any future deployment.