Uber said its users could sign up from Monday for a chance to ride in London's first robotaxis as soon as regulators give the go-ahead for launch, which it expects in the coming months.
The self-driving vehicles will use artificial intelligence technology developed by British startup Wayve to navigate London's streets. Initially, however, trained safety operators will remain behind the wheel to monitor the system and intervene if necessary.
Robotaxi services are already operating in several cities across the United States, including San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, as well as in China. Europe has been slower to adopt the technology due to stricter regulations and the complexity of its older city road networks.
Uber considers autonomous vehicles a major part of its future strategy as it competes with rivals to introduce technology that promises greater efficiency and lower operating costs.
Wayve's Vice President of Commercial and Operations, Kaity Fischer, said this would mark the first time the general public in the UK could hail an autonomous vehicle. The service will use Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles branded as Uber x Wayve. Equipped with surround cameras and radar systems, the cars process data directly within the vehicle. Fischer noted that the technology has been undergoing testing on London's roads since 2018.
During a Reuters test ride, the vehicle successfully handled London's busy traffic conditions, including buses pulling in and out of stops, cyclists weaving through vehicles, and pedestrians crossing the roads.
According to Annie Duvnjak, Uber's Global Head of Autonomous Mobility Operations, passengers matched with a Wayve autonomous vehicle will have the option to accept the ride or switch to a traditional Uber service. She also confirmed that autonomous rides will not cost passengers any extra.
The UK government announced in 2025 that it would accelerate trials of self-driving taxi services without safety drivers, with a broader rollout potentially taking place next year. However, commercial operations will still require approval from local authorities, including Transport for London.
Transport Minister Heidi Alexander said self-driving technology could transform transportation by improving road safety, supporting economic growth, and creating skilled jobs across the UK. She described Wayve as a British success story and said its partnership with Uber reflected confidence in the company's technology.
Meanwhile, Waymo, owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, is also testing autonomous vehicles in London and plans to launch commercial services there this year. Uber and Lyft have additionally announced plans to test Chinese company Baidu's Apollo Go self-driving cars in the British capital.
Wayve said its technology can be adapted to different vehicle models, allowing for rapid expansion. In February, the company raised $1.5 billion in funding from investors including Uber, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Nissan, reaching a valuation of $8.6 billion.
