Self-driving taxis could be picking up passengers on London streets later this summer, with around 100,000 people already signed up to be among the first to try them.
Tech firm Wayve has been awarded private hire vehicle licences by Transport for London (TfL) for a number of its self-driving taxis. The company is working with ride-hailing app Uber, which said some of the 100,000 people who have expressed interest will be offered rides in the vehicles "later this summer", ahead of a full public launch.
Human driver initially on board
A human driver will sit behind the wheel of the autonomous pure electric Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles, ready to take control during journeys. Once the technology is proven safe, Uber and Wayve will need separate approval from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to operate the cars without a driver.
Wayve vice president for global affairs and assurance, Sarah Gates, said: "This licence is an important step towards giving Londoners the chance to experience autonomous driving technology. The responsible deployment of these vehicles will bring us safer, cleaner and quieter streets, and we're proud to continue working alongside regulators, communities and the public as we take the next steps towards making autonomous rides a reality in the capital."
Safety and concerns
Uber global head of autonomous mobility operations Annie Duvnjak said: "This licence is a key milestone in bringing autonomous rides to London on Uber. Our interest list has seen an incredible response from Londoners who are excited to experience Wayve's British-built autonomous driving technology."
A TfL spokesperson said safety is its "top priority" and any new vehicle licensed to carry passengers in London must align with its target of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries on London's roads by 2041. Wayve's modifications to the Mustang Mach-E, such as its six cameras, were assessed by experts and found "they do not compromise passenger safety", he added.
Matthew Wright, GMB Regional Organiser, said: "This is a worrying development for our private hire driver members. We can’t go charging ahead with new technologies without considering the implications of autonomous vehicles on all parties. For drivers; how will they be supported to reskill and redeploy if their jobs go? How will society cope with the lost tax revenue and potential increases in unemployment? For the public, how will their safety be impacted? Who is liable for accidents? What implications are there for disabled passengers? And for passengers, driverless cars cannot replace the knowledge, experience, and human connection that a skilled driver offers. GMB urges TfL to proceed with extreme caution."
Background
A qualified driver must be present and remain responsible for the car under the terms of a PHV licence. Wayve was founded in 2017 by two University of Cambridge PhD students. The firm is also working with car manufacturers such as Nissan and Stellantis to deploy its systems in private vehicles. London will be the first city in the world to use its technology for commercial journeys.
