Chinese automaker Jaecoo and autonomous driving software firm Momenta put their self-driving technology to a high-profile test at the Paris Motor Show, completing what they described as the first zero-takeover navigation of the roundabout around the Arc de Triomphe, widely regarded as one of Europe’s most chaotic traffic circles.
On October 12, a Jaecoo 7 test vehicle equipped with Momenta’s R7 “World Model” driving system entered and exited the roundabout without any human intervention, adapting its path in real time to the dense, unpredictable traffic patterns the intersection is known for.
The Arc de Triomphe roundabout has long served as an informal benchmark for autonomous driving systems given its lack of clear lane markings and reliance on drivers negotiating position largely through assertiveness rather than fixed rules, making it a far tougher test than most structured European intersections.
The demonstration comes as Momenta expands its partnerships beyond Chinese brands, having signed a global strategic cooperation agreement with Shenlong Technology to apply its R7 World Model driver-assistance system to new mass-produced Peugeot and Jeep vehicles, part of a broader push by Chinese autonomous driving developers to establish themselves in the European market.
The roundabout test adds to a growing body of evidence that Chinese automakers and software developers are positioning their driver-assistance technology as a genuine competitor to established Western and legacy automaker systems, using high-visibility public demonstrations to build confidence among European regulators and consumers as the companies look to expand their presence across the continent.
