Key facts
- Uber and Wayve have been granted the first minicab licenses in London for self-driving taxis.
- The services will initially operate with a human safety driver in place.
- Trips are expected to begin in London later this summer.
- Transport for London (TfL) granted 15 licenses for Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with Wayve's AI driving software.
- Operating without a safety driver will require a separate automated passenger services permit.
Uber and Wayve have secured the first minicab licenses in London for self-driving taxis, signaling a significant step towards their public launch later this summer. The initial phase will involve human safety drivers overseeing the autonomous software in Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with Wayve's AI technology.
Transport for London (TfL) confirmed that the vehicles met the necessary safety standards for passenger transport. This development places London at the forefront of global cities where major tech firms like Uber and Google-owned Waymo, as well as China's Baidu, are competing to offer autonomous ride services.
While the current licenses permit operation with a safety driver, Uber and Wayve will need to obtain a new permit from the government's Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to operate fully driverless services. TfL has emphasized its commitment to safety, aligning with its Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2041.
Wayve, which has been testing its technology in London since 2018, views this license as crucial for allowing Londoners to experience autonomous driving. Uber, which previously developed its own self-driving technology before shifting to partnerships, sees this as a key milestone for bringing autonomous rides to its platform in the city. The company also announced plans to invest over $10 billion in autonomous vehicles in the coming years.