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London’s first self-driving taxis for hire hit the streets
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London has officially entered the era of autonomous ride-hailing, as Wayve's self-driving taxis became available for hire through the Uber app on Thursday. This marks the first time Londoners can request a robotaxi in the UK's capital. However, immediate availability is limited, with only 15 licensed vehicles currently operating.
The launch is a significant regulatory milestone. Transport for London (TfL) approved Wayve's modified Ford Mustangs as private hire vehicles last month. Crucially, these vehicles are not yet fully autonomous; a licensed human safety driver must remain in the front seat, ready to intervene. Full driverless operation requires separate approval from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, a process not expected this year.
This initial rollout positions Uber ahead of rivals in the competitive London market. Tech giants like Google's Waymo and China's Baidu are also testing autonomous vehicles in the city. Wayve CEO Alex Kendall called London "one of the most complex driving environments in the world" and expressed pride in introducing the AI Driver technology to the public.
The current service involves hailing a ride via the Uber app, where a safety driver will be present. Kendall emphasized that the technology is "still maturing" but confirmed plans to transition to fully driverless services. Wayve is simultaneously developing scalable production vehicles, such as the Nissan Leaf, and working to validate safety metrics and secure the necessary regulatory approvals.
Uber's head of autonomous mobility, Sarfraz Maredia, hailed the London launch as a major milestone for scaling accessible AV technology. He acknowledged that autonomous rides are not yet cheaper than human-driven trips but suggested they could become both safer and more affordable over time. Maredia also addressed concerns from traditional drivers, expressing belief that the technology would not displace their jobs.
This London launch follows Uber's partnership to start Europe's first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia. While fully driverless taxis operate in several US and Chinese cities, London's move represents a key step for bringing the technology to a major European market. The project is viewed as crucial for a wider continental rollout of autonomous vehicles.
