Uber, Wayve launch driverless robotaxis in London

Driverless cabs are now operating in London. Uber and British start‑up Wayve have launched autonomous vehicles on the capital’s streets, offering rides that need no human driver. The service began last week in a few boroughs and is available through the Uber app.

The move comes after years of testing and regulatory hurdles. London’s transport regulator, the Mayor’s Office for Transport, has been working with companies to prove safety. Wayve, which has built its own software, has been waiting for a green light for months. Uber’s partnership gives the driverless fleet a large customer base from the start. The launch shows that the UK is finally ready for autonomous vehicles, even though larger rivals like Google’s Waymo and China’s Baidu have been holding back.

Wayve says this is its first mass‑market rollout. The company plans to extend the service to Tokyo and ten other cities through Uber. Wayve’s technology uses only cameras and software, without the expensive sensors that other firms use. The company says it can reduce costs and improve safety. Industry analysts note that Wayve’s approach could make driverless cars cheaper to deploy. The launch also signals a setback for Waymo and Baidu, which have been eyeing Europe as a new market.

The service is expected to change daily commuting in London. It could cut travel times and reduce traffic. Regulators will watch closely to see how well the vehicles handle London’s complex streets. If the pilots succeed, other cities may follow. The rollout marks a key milestone for autonomous technology and could bring new jobs and cheaper travel for millions of Londoners.