Wayve and Uber Plan Driverless Robotaxi Launch in London

The future of urban transportation is accelerating in London as Wayve, a UK-based autonomous vehicle technology company, partners with Uber to launch a fully driverless robotaxi service. This ambitious project is set to begin trials by spring 2026, a timeline fast-tracked by the UK government's recent decision to accelerate self-driving commercial pilot frameworks from late 2027 to spring 2026.

Wayve’s AI driving technology will be integrated into Nissan vehicles, forming the core of the robotaxi fleet. Uber will operate the passenger service, managing customer interactions and fleet operations. This partnership leverages each company’s strengths: Wayve’s advanced AI and Uber’s global mobility network.

Safety remains paramount. Each participant in the supply chain must prove their safety case to regulators. Wayve must demonstrate the reliability of its AI driving system within its operational design domain, while Uber must ensure responsible service operation and customer support.

Wayve’s CEO, Alex Kendall, describes this as a defining moment for UK autonomy, emphasizing the company’s vision for scalable autonomy through its Embodied AI technology that learns to drive anywhere, in any vehicle. This adaptability is crucial for expanding autonomous services beyond London to greater UK regions and potentially worldwide.

Supporting this vision, Wayve’s AI-500 Roadshow project has demonstrated the AI’s ability to operate in diverse cities globally without relying on pre-mapped environments. This flexibility aligns perfectly with Uber’s global reach and ambition to scale autonomous ride services rapidly.

The partnership between Wayve and Uber is not only a technological milestone but also a strategic alignment with UK government policies designed to accelerate autonomous vehicle adoption. By fast-tracking pilot programs, the UK aims to attract investment and position itself as a leader in autonomous mobility.

For urban commuters, this means a future where calling a driverless taxi could become as routine as hailing a cab today. For businesses and regulators, it signals a new era of collaboration between AI innovators, vehicle manufacturers, and mobility operators to safely integrate autonomous vehicles into public roads.

As Wayve and Uber prepare to launch their robotaxi service in London, the world watches closely. This initiative could set a global benchmark for how autonomous vehicle technology is deployed at scale, blending cutting-edge AI with practical, real-world applications in urban mobility.