May Mobility Aims to Expand Robotaxi Operations Overseas Through New Partnership

A small Michigan startup is about to take on Uber and Waymo in Europe. May Mobility, an autonomous vehicle company based in Ann Arbor, has partnered with Chinese ride-hailing giant CaoCao to bring its self-driving robotaxis to overseas markets, starting in Europe. The deal, announced in early 2025, marks May Mobility’s first major push outside North America and positions it to compete in a rapidly globalizing robotaxi sector.

May Mobility has been a quieter player in the autonomous vehicle space, focusing on low-speed shuttle services in controlled environments like university campuses and business parks. Founded in 2017, the company has raised over $300 million from investors including Toyota and BMW i Ventures. Its technology relies on a hybrid approach: a combination of lidar, cameras, and radar, plus a proprietary software stack that emphasizes safety and redundancy. Unlike Waymo and Cruise, which operate in dense urban cores, May Mobility has concentrated on structured routes with less unpredictable traffic.

CaoCao is a major ride-hailing platform in China, often called the country's second-largest after Didi. Owned by Geely, the automaker behind Volvo and Polestar, CaoCao operates in dozens of Chinese cities and has been expanding into mobility services beyond simple ride-hailing, including electric vehicle fleets and charging infrastructure. The partnership gives CaoCao access to North American AV technology, while May Mobility gains a well-funded operational partner with deep local knowledge in new markets.

The initial rollout will target multiple European cities, though the companies have not named specific locations. Sources familiar with the plans suggest London, Paris, and Hamburg are strong candidates. The service will start with a small fleet of electric minivans retrofitted with May Mobility’s autonomous drive kit, carrying up to six passengers each, and will initially require a safety driver behind the wheel. Full driverless operations are expected within 12–18 months, pending regulatory approvals. May Mobility CEO Edwin Olson said the partnership "combines world-class autonomous technology with a proven ride-hailing network to create a better urban mobility experience."

Industry analysts view the deal as a smart but risky bet. "May Mobility has been deliberate and cautious, which is good for safety but slow for growth," said Sam Abuelsamid, a transportation analyst at Guidehouse Insights. "Partnering with CaoCao gives them an immediate distribution channel in Europe, but navigating different regulatory frameworks and consumer expectations will be tough." The European Union is still drafting a unified framework for autonomous vehicles, leaving a patchwork of national rules. In the UK, for example, driverless cars are legal only under strict pilot programs.

The outcome could reshape the competitive landscape for robotaxis. If May Mobility and CaoCao quickly gain traction in Europe, it could pressure Waymo and Cruise to accelerate their own international plans. Conversely, any operational hiccups—a crash, a regulatory ban—could set back the entire industry’s reputation abroad. For now, the partnership signals that the race for global robotaxi dominance is heating up, and even smaller players can make a play with the right local ally. Look for pilot launches in at least two European cities by late 2025, and a potential expansion into Southeast Asia if the model works.