Wayve’s autonomous vehicles became available for hire through the Uber app on Thursday, marking London’s entry into the commercial robotaxi market. The service launched with 15 licensed vehicles, significantly fewer than the city’s over 100,000 private hire vehicles. Each autonomous car currently operates with a safety driver seated in the front seat who can assume manual control if necessary.
Transport for London approved Wayve and Uber’s modified Ford Mustang vehicles as private hire vehicles last month, with regulatory conditions mandating human supervision during operation. Full autonomous operation without a safety driver requires separate approval from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, a process viewed as unlikely to conclude this year. The launch positions Uber ahead of competitors including Waymo and Baidu, both testing robotaxis in the capital.
Wayve’s chief executive highlighted the significance of introducing the company’s AI Driver technology in London, describing it as one of the world’s most complex driving environments. He stated the technology remains under development and indicated that fully driverless services would eventually launch, though he declined to provide a specific timeline. The company plans to transition to manufacturer-produced Nissan Leaf vehicles and must validate safety metrics and obtain regulatory clearance before expanding operations.
Uber representatives emphasized potential long-term benefits including improved safety and reduced costs for passengers, though they acknowledged current autonomous services remain more expensive than traditional rides. The company stated its commitment to operating as a platform for both human drivers and autonomous vehicles. Meanwhile, union representatives raised concerns about employment displacement given the hundreds of thousands of people currently employed in driving roles across the city.
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