The UAE has no dearth of cutting-edge cars, but Mercedes-Benz just dialled things up to sci-fi levels. The brand has announced a new partnership with Momenta and local mobility provider Lumo to bring SAE Level-4 robotaxis based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class to Abu Dhabi first, with wider regional expansion firmly on the horizon.
Consider this the next chapter in the S-Class’s long career of making humans feel unnecessary. Only now, the humans actually aren’t needed up front. Abu Dhabi will be the first testing ground, where Lumo, a subsidiary of K2, one of the UAE’s fastest-rising autonomous mobility players, will operate the pilot fleet. K2 already holds federal approval for autonomous vehicle operations, so the groundwork is laid. Expect to spot these tech-packed S-Classes silently gliding past Corniche cafés soon.
Level 4 Automation In A Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Plenty of companies are experimenting with robotaxis. But putting an S-Class into the game? That’s peak Mercedes flex. The project taps directly into the brand’s proprietary MB.OS architecture, the foundational tech that powers everything from next-gen infotainment to the car’s deep neural network for automated driving.
And Level 4 is no warm-up lap. We’re talking fully driverless capability within designated zones, backed by a fortress of LiDARs, radars, sensors, and redundant systems. The S-Class already sets the benchmark for human-driven comfort. Now it’s aiming to become the benchmark for no-human-driven comfort.
Mercedes-Benz isn’t limiting itself to one tech partner either. The brand continues exploring Level-4 robotaxi ecosystems with industry leaders like Nvidia, building toward a global automated mobility network that feels less like a prototype and more like a polished luxury service.
Why Abu Dhabi? Because It’s Ready
The UAE has quickly become a proving ground for future mobility with clear regulations, rapid infrastructure development, and a national ambition to lead the autonomous movement. With K2’s approval to run autonomous fleets, Abu Dhabi offers the perfect mix of controlled environment and real-world complexity. Mercedes already tests S-Class Level-4 prototypes in Beijing, so Abu Dhabi becomes another pillar in a global triad of autonomous development.
A Legacy of Innovation That Just Keeps Leveling Up
Mercedes-Benz has been chasing autonomy long before it was cool, or meme-worthy, depending on where you stand on the subject. The brand pioneered ABS, ESP, PRE-SAFE and is now building on its SAE-Level 2, 3, and 4 ecosystem with laser focus. DRIVE PILOT, its SAE-Level 3 system, remains the world’s fastest-approved L3 highway tech, with 130 km/h capability targeted within the next five years.
Robotaxi S-Class models are the next frontier, combining luxury limo vibes with robotics-grade precision. Somewhere out there, Clarkson is probably yelling about “the robots taking our cars,” but honestly, the non-petrolhead world is quite excited about these developments.
