Madrid is preparing to host Spain’s first deployment of autonomous passenger cars and one of Europe’s first robotaxi services. Uber, the tech company WeRide, and the fleet operator Avomo have received the first national authorization from the DGT to begin testing Level 4 autonomous vehicles in the Community of Madrid.
The first phase is expected to begin before the end of 2026, with an initial fleet of 20 cars in high-demand areas of Madrid and other parts of the region. But the idea of “driverless” needs to be clarified: during the first trips, a specialist will be on board to monitor the system, intervene if necessary, and complete mapping, route validation, and safety checks.
The authorization paves the way for Madrid to become the first European city where Uber operates autonomous vehicles, although a confirmed launch date for the fully unmanned commercial service has not yet been set. The pilot project will initially last two years, with the possibility of extension, and its future will depend on the results of the tests and the DGT’s regulations for automated vehicles.