Uber has opened in-app sign-ups for autonomous vehicles in the UK, indicating accelerated progress toward a London robotaxi service in partnership with UK-based autonomous driving company Wayve. Meanwhile, Waymo has also begun testing in the area, making London a key battleground for autonomous mobility companies.
Open user interest registration first
On Monday, Uber showcased a Ford Mustang Mach-E equipped with Wayve's autonomous driving system in London and simultaneously launched an interest registration feature. Users can select their preference for autonomous vehicles in account settings to increase the likelihood of matching with such vehicles in the future.
Uber stated that the service will be launched over the coming months, pending regulatory approval. Once officially live, users requesting a ride through the app may be assigned a Wayve vehicle at the same price as human-driven rides; if they prefer, they can opt for a human driver instead.
Initially, human security personnel will still be assigned.
During the initial operational phase, Wayve’s autonomous vehicles will still have human safety operators seated in the driver’s seat, gradually transitioning to full autonomy. The in-vehicle interface, designed by Uber, features a touch-based system supporting 64 languages.
This means Uber is not only providing a ride-hailing platform but also aiming to control the passenger experience and operational aspects of autonomous mobility services, preparing for future expansion of its Robotaxi business.
Waymo has begun road testing in London.
On the other hand, Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, began testing autonomous vehicles in London in April this year, also with human safety operators. The company is currently testing approximately 100 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles across a 100-square-mile area in London.
Uber and Waymo continue to collaborate in the U.S., with Waymo’s vehicles integrated into Uber’s service networks in Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta. However, over the past two years, Uber has also consistently invested in multiple autonomous driving companies, including Wayve. Wayve completed a $1.2 billion funding round in February this year, and Uber may invest an additional $300 million if its deployment in London progresses.
UK rules have not yet been finalized.
The main factor currently limiting the official deployment of Robotaxis in London is the pace of the UK’s autonomous driving regulations. The UK Department for Transport has opened applications for autonomous driving pilot projects since May and stated that it will advance subsequent rulemaking based on pilot results.
This means that although several companies are accelerating their efforts, the timing of when Robotaxi will enter broader commercial operations in London still depends on UK regulatory approvals and pilot progress.