Uber and Wayve Launch Supervised Robotaxis in London

Transport for London granted private hire vehicle licenses to Wayve Technologies Ltd. and Uber Technologies Inc. on August 5, 2026, allowing the launch of a supervised robotaxi service in London. The service uses electric Ford Mustang Mach-E SUVs equipped with Wayve's AI Driver system, which operates via an end-to-end neural network without the need for LiDAR or pre-built HD maps.

While the AI controls the vehicles, a licensed human safety driver must remain in the driver's seat to intervene as a legal and safety fallback. A select group from an interest list of over 100,000 people will trial the service later this summer, with a full public rollout expected before the end of the year. To transition to fully driverless operations, the companies must obtain separate automated passenger services permits from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

Labor organizations have opposed the rollout. The GMB Union and the App Drivers and Couriers Union warned that autonomous vehicles could eventually put 300,000 UK jobs at risk and expressed concerns over driver unemployment and public safety. This launch places Uber and Wayve in direct competition with Waymo and Baidu, both of which are also planning robotaxi deployments in the British capital.