Uber Announces Madrid Robotaxi Launch by End of 2026; Spanish Regulator Says No Permit Request Received (xataka.com)

• Uber and partners announce Madrid robotaxi service by end of 2026 but lack regulatory approval.
• DGT states no permit request filed; only Tesla in advanced pre-deployment phase.
• European robotaxi adoption lags; pilot in Zagreb and interest from other Spanish cities.

"Uber, in partnership with WeRide and Avomo, announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in Madrid before the end of 2026. However, Spain's Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) stated it has not received any permit request for driverless vehicle tests from Uber or its partners. The DGT's regulatory framework for autonomous vehicle testing includes three phases: controlled (max 3 vehicles with safety driver), extensive (max 10 with safety driver), and pre-deployment (no fleet limit, optional driver but remote supervision). Currently, only Tesla is in the pre-deployment phase with 30 vehicles in Spain."