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SpeakBase Times·Tech·
Europe's First Commercial Robotaxi Service Launches in Madrid with Uber, WeRide, and AVOMO
A partnership between ride-sharing giant Uber, Chinese autonomous-vehicle company WeRide, and Madrid-based startup AVOMO launched continental Europe's first fully commercial robotaxi service in the Madrid metropolitan area in June 2026. Passengers hail driverless WeRide GXR minivans through the Uber app, paying standard fares with no safety driver onboard. The service operates under Spain's 2025 Royal Decree on Autonomous Vehicles, the first EU-member framework to permit fully driverless commercial operations in urban areas, and covers major corridors including the Castellana business district and the Barajas airport link.
By SpeakBase Times Editorial Team
Level 1 - Absolute Beginner
Ready
Reading PassageTap highlighted words for definitions
A robot car is a car with no driver inside. A computer controls the car and tells it where to go. This is called an autonomous vehicle.
For the first time in Europe, people can ride in a robot car and pay for the trip. This service started in Madrid, Spain. The companies behind it are Uber, WeRide, and AVOMO.
The robot cars use cameras, sensors, and computers to see the road. They can stop at red lights, turn corners, and avoid other cars all by themselves.
Many people believe robot cars are the future of travel. They can be safer than cars driven by people. This is a very exciting day for technology in Europe.
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Key Vocabularyautonomous —able to work or operate independently, without a human in control
vehicle —a machine used for transporting people or goods, such as a car or bus
sensor —a device that detects changes in the environment around it, such as the presence of other cars or objects
commercial —relating to a service or product that is available to customers who pay for it
milestone —an important event that marks a new and significant stage in the development of something
passenger —a person who travels in a vehicle driven or operated by someone or something else
technology —the use of scientific knowledge and tools to solve practical problems in everyday life
launch —to start or introduce a new product, service, or project to the public for the first time
Exercises
Multiple Choice
1In which city did Europe's first commercial robotaxi service start?
2Which three companies are behind the new robotaxi service?
3What does 'autonomous vehicle' mean?
4What do the robot cars use to see the road?
5Why might robot cars be safer than human-driven cars?
True or False
6The robotaxi service launched in Paris, France.
7Uber, WeRide, and AVOMO are the companies behind the new service.
8The robot cars need a human driver to control them at all times.
9Cameras and sensors help the robot cars see the road.
10Europe had commercial robotaxi services like this before 2026.
Fill in the Blank
11The first commercial robotaxi service in Europe launched in ___, Spain.
12An autonomous vehicle is a car that drives ___.
13Robot cars use cameras, ___, and computers to navigate the road.