Uber and Wayve launch robotaxi rides in London
Uber has launched rides in London using the artificial intelligence technology of British company Wayve. As Channel NewsAsia reports, citing Reuters, London has become the second city in Europe after Zagreb where Uber offers robotaxis.
Fewer than 20 vehicles at launch
At the initial stage, passengers ordering UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Electric can receive a Ford Mustang Mach-E equipped with the Wayve system at no additional cost. Fewer than 20 vehicles are available at launch.
Initially, a licensed operator will be present in the vehicle to monitor it. The companies said they plan to begin fully driverless rides in the future.
Regulatory barriers to launching fully driverless services in London still remain, including delays at Transport for London, which issues permits.
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Wayve technology
Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility, Sarfraz Maredia, said the launch should strengthen consumer and government confidence. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander called it an important stage for the future of London transport, giving passengers more choice.
Wayve said its AI Driver system learns from experience similarly to a human driver and can adapt to new roads, vehicles, weather conditions and cities. Uber began its partnership with Wayve in 2024, including by investing in the company, to use vehicles with its technology in several markets in the future.
Wayve CEO and co-founder Alex Kendall said the company is presenting AI Driver to the public for the first time in London, its home city, which he called one of the most challenging driving environments in the world.
