- Mercedes-Benz will deploy an SAE Level 4 robotaxi service using the latest S-Class in Abu Dhabi.
- MB.OS and a dedicated sensor suite enable the chauffeur-grade autonomous capability.
- Mercedes continues parallel Level 4 development, including authorised testing in Beijing.
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed a new autonomous driving push, partnering with Chinese ADAS specialist Momenta and UAE mobility provider Lumo to deploy an SAE Level 4 robotaxi service based on the latest S-Class.
It’s a notable escalation of the brand’s self-driving ambitions and a reminder that Mercedes intends to sit at the pointy end of the global autonomy race.
S-Class luxury meets Level 4 brains
The first phase begins in Abu Dhabi, where Lumo, a subsidiary of tech company K2, will run the initial fleet. K2 already holds federal approval to operate autonomous vehicles in the UAE, clearing the way for S-Class prototypes to begin real-world testing on public roads before a broader rollout into other markets.
Mercedes-Benz’s Chief Technology Officer, Joerg Burzer, frames the programme as more than just another pilot. “With a robotaxi S-Class, we raise the bar for automated mobility - always combining safety and comfort to set new standards for the industry and intelligent transportation worldwide.”
At the core sits MB.OS, the brand’s in-house operating system that underpins perception, processing and fleet-level coordination.
The S-Class platform also provides the hardware foundation for a chauffeured Level 4 experience, combining high-end luxury with redundant safety architecture.
Partnerships shaping the next steps
Alongside Momenta, Mercedes-Benz continues to explore Level 4 ecosystems with other major technology players. Nvidia’s Drive AV platform is highlighted as a candidate for future projects, while both companies maintain a broader collaboration in automated driving development.
This new UAE deployment complements Mercedes-Benz’s other autonomy programmes worldwide. The marque is the first international automaker authorised to run SAE Level 4 tests on designated urban roads and highways in Beijing.
Those vehicles (also S-Class-based) carry a rich sensor suite including LiDAR, radar and multiple cameras, supporting research into multi-sensor fusion, perception accuracy and integrated decision-making.
Building on a long history of automated driving firsts
Mercedes-Benz points out that its autonomous credentials stretch back decades, from early driver-assist innovations to the more recent introduction of Drive Pilot: the world’s first internationally approved SAE Level 3 system.
As the brand continues refining MB.Drive and targets Level 3 operation at up to 130km/h within five years, the move into Level 4 robotaxi services feels like an inevitable next chapter.
Abu Dhabi’s S-Class shuttles may start as a test fleet, but they mark a decisive shift: the luxury flagship, once synonymous with owner-driven prestige, is now becoming a quietly competent chauffeur of its own.