After exiting Nigeria, Uber unveils new service in London
After exiting Nigeria, Uber unveils new service in London
Screenshot
Uber has launched autonomous ride-hailing services in London in partnership with British artificial intelligence company Wayve, marking another major step in the company’s push into robotaxi technology.
The development comes shortly after Uber exited Nigeria, where it had operated its ride-hailing business for more than 12 years.
According to a report by Reuters on Thursday, London has become the second European city where Uber offers autonomous rides, following the introduction of its robotaxi service in Zagreb.
At the initial stage of the London deployment, fewer than 20 Wayve-powered Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles will be available to passengers.
Customers requesting UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Electric rides could be matched with one of the autonomous vehicles without paying an additional fee.
Human operator remains in vehicles
Although the vehicles are equipped with autonomous driving technology, a licensed operator will initially remain inside each vehicle to monitor the journey and take control if necessary.
Uber said it expects fully driverless operations to become possible in the future, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.
Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility, Sarfraz Maredia, said the initial deployment would help demonstrate the technology to passengers and regulators while building confidence in autonomous transportation.
“This will build credibility with consumers as well as with the government,” Maredia said.
British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the launch as an important development for the future of transportation in London.
“This is a major milestone for the future of transport in London, as British innovation brings this technology onto our roads and gives passengers more choice,” Alexander said.
Wayve technology powers autonomous vehicles
The autonomous vehicles are powered by Wayve’s AI Driver, a technology designed to learn from experience and adapt to different roads, vehicles, weather conditions and cities.
Wayve CEO and co-founder Alex Kendall said London was an appropriate location for the company’s first public deployment because of the complexity of its roads and driving environment.
“We’re proud to introduce the Wayve AI Driver to the public for the first time right here in London, our home city and one of the most complex driving environments in the world,” Kendall said.
Regulatory approval still required
Despite the launch, fully driverless operations cannot begin immediately because regulatory requirements remain in place.
The vehicles must undergo the necessary approval processes involving Transport for London and other relevant authorities before they can operate without a human operator inside.
Uber and Wayve began their partnership in 2024, with Uber also investing in the British technology company as part of plans to deploy Wayve-powered autonomous vehicles in multiple markets.
Uber expands autonomous mobility drive
The London launch underscores Uber’s growing focus on autonomous mobility as the company explores new technologies and business models for the future of transportation.
The deployment also marks a significant development in the company’s European robotaxi ambitions, with London joining Zagreb as one of the cities where Uber customers can access autonomous rides.
Uber’s move into autonomous transportation comes as technology companies and traditional mobility providers increasingly invest in artificial intelligence and self-driving systems aimed at transforming the way passengers and goods are transported.
