Uber and Wayve launch UK’s first robotaxi service in London
Uber has launched the UK’s first robotaxi service in London, putting a small fleet of all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles on the capital’s streets in partnership with British autonomous-driving company Wayve.
The initial rollout is modest, and each car will still have a human safety driver behind the wheel who can take control if needed. Customers can hail the self-driving vehicles through the Uber app just as they would a regular ride, the companies said.
Transport for London granted the necessary private-hire licenses last month. Uber said more than 140,000 Londoners have already opted in through the app to be matched with a self-driving vehicle when one is available.
Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility, said the company was “delighted to bring autonomous rides to Uber riders in London for the very first time, powered by Wayve, a homegrown British success story.”
“London is a world-class hub for transportation innovation and this launch is a major milestone in scaling safe, accessible AV technology in a city with some of the world’s most complex roads,” Maredia added.
Wayve, founded in 2017 by two University of Cambridge PhD students, develops an AI system that interprets the road environment and controls the vehicle. London is the first city in the world to use its technology for commercial journeys. The company says the partnership with Uber will form the starting point for a global rollout.
Alex Kendall, Wayve’s chief executive and co-founder, said: “We’re proud to introduce the Wayve AI Driver to the public for the first time right here in London, our home city and one of the most complex driving environments in the world.”
“Autonomous driving technology will complement the city’s rich transport network, and we’re excited for Londoners to experience it first as we begin our global rollout with Uber,” Kendall added.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander called the launch “a major milestone for the future of transport in London,” saying British innovation had helped bring the technology on to the country’s roads and giving passengers more choice. She said the government wants to support new opportunities for investment and skills while ensuring existing transport workers continue to play an important role.
Although the London service is not driverless in the strictest sense — safety operators remain in every vehicle — it marks a significant step for the UK’s ambitions in autonomous mobility. The city’s crowded streets, double-decker bus routes, cyclists and frequent roadworks make it a demanding environment for machines designed to drive themselves. How the Wayve-powered fleet performs on those roads is likely to shape how quickly Britain moves toward allowing fully driverless cars.