Wayve and Uber to Launch Robotaxis in London

Driverless Robotaxi Service Planned for London

Wayve, a U.K.-based firm specializing in autonomous vehicle technology, is collaborating with Uber to introduce a fully driverless robotaxi service in London within the next few years.

Accelerated Regulatory Framework

This announcement closely follows the U.K. government’s decision to expedite the framework for commercial trials of self-driving vehicles. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced on Tuesday a move to spring 2026, ahead of the previous late 2027 timeline, to encourage further investment in autonomous technologies within the country.

Launch Details Remain Limited

Specifics regarding the launch, such as trial commencement dates, fleet size, and vehicle manufacturer partnerships, have not yet been disclosed by Wayve and Uber. However, Wayve previously indicated in April that its technology would be integrated into Nissan vehicles.

Uber's Investment in Wayve

The collaboration builds upon Uber’s strategic investment in Wayve earlier in 2024. This investment was intended to integrate Wayve’s AI into vehicles operating on the Uber platform.

Phased Rollout Strategy

According to a Wayve spokesperson, the initial deployment will begin in central London, with plans to expand throughout greater London and eventually to other regions. Prior to service launch, all parties involved must demonstrate robust safety protocols to regulatory bodies.

Supply Chain Safety Responsibilities

“We operate with a partner ecosystem,” explained Sarah Gates, Wayve’s director of public policy. “Wayve provides the driving intelligence, integrated into vehicles supplied by manufacturers. A fleet operator will be involved, and Uber will manage the service itself.” Each component of this supply chain will be required to validate the safety and responsible implementation of their respective contributions.

Wayve’s responsibility centers on proving the safety and efficacy of its autonomous driving system within its defined operational parameters. Uber will focus on ensuring responsible passenger service and providing adequate customer support.

A Defining Moment for U.K. Autonomy

“This represents a pivotal moment for autonomous vehicle development in the U.K.,” stated Alex Kendall, CEO and co-founder of Wayve. “Together with Uber and our OEM partner, we are preparing to deploy our AI Driver technology on London’s streets, realizing our AV2.0 vision for scalable autonomy. Our Embodied AI is designed to learn and drive in any environment, and this trial brings us closer to providing safe and intelligent transportation throughout the U.K. and beyond.”

AI-500 Roadshow Demonstrates Adaptability

Wayve recently published findings from its “AI-500 Roadshow,” an initiative to test a single AI model in 500 cities by the end of 2025. To date, the startup has successfully tested its technology in 90 cities across Asia, Europe, and North America within 90 days.

This demonstration highlights Wayve’s ability to operate its technology in diverse environments without requiring extensive pre-mapping.

Global Scalability for Uber

This capability is particularly valuable to Uber, which operates a global mobility network and has been actively pursuing partnerships with various autonomous vehicle companies to accelerate its autonomous capabilities.

Global Ambitions

“Uber possesses one of the world’s largest mobility networks, and our AI’s potential to serve this network is a key driver behind this partnership and the upcoming trials,” noted Tilly Pielichaty, a Wayve spokesperson. “While we are beginning in the U.K., our ambition is to expand this service globally.”