Wayve and Uber Move Closer to Launching Self-Driving Taxis in London
Uber is preparing to introduce self-driving taxis in London through a partnership with British autonomous driving company Wayve, marking a significant step toward commercial driverless transport in the United Kingdom.
The ride-hailing platform has begun asking London customers whether they would be interested in using autonomous minicabs, ahead of a planned rollout that could begin as early as this summer.
Initially, the vehicles will operate with a human safety driver seated behind the wheel, ready to take control if necessary while the technology undergoes real-world testing.
Wayve is currently seeking approval from the Department for Transport, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, and Transport for London before launching the service.
The development follows the introduction of the Autonomous Vehicles Act 2024, which paved the way for pilot programmes involving self-driving vehicles. The UK government opened applications for operators in May as part of a broader effort to evaluate how autonomous vehicles perform on public roads.
According to the Department for Transport, participating companies will be required to meet strict safety standards while helping regulators gather real-world data on the technology’s performance.
Wayve said it has been testing autonomous vehicles on London roads since 2018. Its system uses six cameras, radar sensors, and an AI-powered computer that processes road conditions and controls vehicle responses in real time.
Kaity Fischer, who leads Wayve’s robotaxi business, said the company is ready to begin commercial operations.
“We’re ready to go, and can’t wait to get the public into our vehicles to experience Wayve technology first hand,” she said.
Fischer described London as one of the most challenging environments for autonomous driving, citing its complex road layouts, frequent roadworks, large number of pedestrians and cyclists, and centuries-old street network.
“London’s roads are the ultimate testing ground for autonomous technology,” she said.
Under the initial deployment plan, London will become the first city globally to offer commercial passenger journeys powered by Wayve’s autonomous driving system.
Uber’s autonomous operations lead, Annie Duvnjak, said the company plans to launch with a relatively small fleet before gradually expanding operations.
The service will cost passengers the same as conventional Uber rides, and users can already join a waiting list through the Uber app for an opportunity to experience the technology when it becomes available.
Uber already operates autonomous ride services in cities including Austin and Atlanta in the United States and is working with multiple technology partners to expand driverless transportation offerings.
Meanwhile, Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet, has also been conducting tests in London ahead of potential commercial operations.
Commenting on the initiative, Heidi Alexander said autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to improve road safety, create jobs, and transform transportation.
“Wayve is a British success story and this partnership with Uber is a welcome vote of confidence in their technology,” she said.
If approved, the launch would place London among a growing number of global cities exploring autonomous ride-hailing services as the technology moves closer to mainstream adoption.
