Key facts
- Uber has launched an interest list for customers to try autonomous minicabs in London.
- The ride-hailing giant is partnering with British autonomous driving firm Wayve.
- The service is expected to launch in the coming months, pending regulatory approval.
- Vehicles will initially operate with a safety operator, with a goal of fully driverless journeys.
- Wayve's technology has been tested extensively on London's complex streets.
- Autonomous rides will cost the same as conventional journeys, and customers can opt for a human driver.
Uber has initiated an interest list for Londoners eager to experience autonomous minicabs, signaling that self-driving taxis are nearing a commercial launch in the UK. The ride-hailing company is collaborating with Wayve, a British firm whose autonomous driving technology has undergone testing on London's streets since 2018.
Customers can now register their interest through the Uber app for a chance to be among the first to use the service. Both Uber and Wayve anticipate the launch to occur within the next few months, contingent upon regulatory approval. Initially, the autonomous vehicles will be equipped with a trained safety operator, though the ultimate objective is to provide fully driverless journeys.
At London Tech Week, Wayve's vice president of commercial and operations, Kaity Fischer, referred to the launch as a significant milestone, especially after nearly a decade of testing in challenging urban environments. She highlighted London's complex streets, frequent roadworks, and unpredictable traffic as an ideal proving ground for autonomous technology.
Uber's global head of autonomous mobility operations, Annie Duvnjak, described London as a pioneering city for this technology and expressed excitement about the partnership with Wayve. The move sets the stage for competition with Alphabet-owned Waymo, which is also testing its autonomous vehicles in the city ahead of a commercial rollout.
While robotaxis are already operational in cities like San Francisco and parts of China, Europe has been slower to adopt the technology due to stricter regulations and more intricate urban landscapes. Wayve's system differentiates itself by not requiring high-definition maps or geofenced areas, enabling greater adaptability to new cities and road conditions.
Duvnjak noted that for passengers, the novelty of autonomous rides typically fades quickly, allowing them to resume their daily activities. Uber has confirmed that the cost of autonomous rides will be comparable to conventional journeys, and passengers will retain the option to request a human driver.
The introduction of these services aligns with the government's efforts to expedite autonomous vehicle trials, following the enactment of the Autonomous Vehicles Act. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander emphasized the transformative potential of self-driving technology for travel and job creation in Britain.