Uber has launched the UK's first robotaxi fleet in London, partnering with British AI firm Wayve to create the autonomous vehicles and public self-driving service. The vehicles will initially have a human safety driver who can take over if necessary.
London's first robotaxi service
Uber and Wayve beat Google's Waymo and China's Baidu in launching robotaxis in the UK capital, though more fleets by other operators are likely to launch in the future. London is not the first capital to see robotaxis in operation – they have already been rolled out across major cities in the US, parts of Europe, and the Middle East.
The launch has been hailed as a “major milestone” for transport in London by transport secretary Heidi Alexander, but concerns have been raised about the impact on jobs and safety, with many questions over the vehicles still unanswered. Uber claimed some 140,000 Londoners have opted in to try the robotaxis in the capital.
When will Wayve become fully autonomous?
It is still unclear when Wayve will become fully autonomous without a safety driver. For there to be no human driver present, the vehicles will need regulatory approval from the DVLA, which is granted under a separate government process. It seems unlikely that this will happen this year.
Alex Kendall, the chief executive and co-founder of Wayve, said technology was “still maturing”, but the company was “pushing as fast as [it] can” to offer robotaxi services without a human safety driver.
How to book and ride a Wayve robotaxi
Wayve will be available via the Uber app, but customers won't be able to actively select a robotaxi ride. Instead, once a ride has been requested, Uber may match the customer with a robotaxi. The customer then has the option to accept or decline the robotaxi ride. Those who want a chance to try a robotaxi can update their preferences in settings to boost their odds of matching.
Riders will unlock the vehicle from their app to begin the trip. Demos are available on Uber to help customers out. Once inside, a pre-recorded script will be played and then the ride will continue as usual. The experience is available in 64 languages and has an interactive screen where riders can see their trip in action. Should you need assistance, there is support on the Uber app and inside the vehicle. But remember, initially, there will be a human driver inside the vehicle as part of the phased introduction.
Pricing and fleet details
The Wayve robotaxis will be priced the same as a regular UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Electric ride. The fleet comprises all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles, meaning the service is not available on UberXL rides.
