Uber will deploy fully self-driving taxis on the streets of London by spring 2026, thanks to a new partnership with British AI firm Wayve—and a legislative green light from the UK government.
At a Glance
- Uber and Wayve to launch autonomous taxis in London by spring 2026
- Wayve’s system uses AI to navigate without pre-mapped routes
- London pilot follows passage of the UK’s Automated Vehicles Act
- Government estimates a £42 billion economic boost and 38,000 new jobs
- Critics cite safety, job losses, and regulatory readiness
The Rollout Plan
The announcement marks Uber’s first European robotaxi trial, leveraging Wayve’s AI-based system, which relies on neural networks trained using real-world driving data instead of detailed maps. Riders will be able to book the self-driving cars via the Uber app, with no safety driver present.
A Legal and Economic Bet
The project is enabled by the UK’s new Automated Vehicles Act, which allows fully autonomous vehicle trials under strict safety conditions. Officials predict the move could add £42 billion to the UK economy and create 38,000 jobs by 2035.
Pushback and Precautions
London’s powerful black cab lobby has raised concerns over job displacement, arguing that Uber’s tech ambitions threaten local livelihoods. Safety experts stress that robotaxis must demonstrate human-level caution before going mainstream.
Global Context
The UK joins a global race with the U.S., China, and the UAE to deploy driverless vehicles. With companies like Waymo and Baidu already operating commercial fleets, London’s streets may soon see an entirely new kind of traffic—one that’s driver-optional.
