Uber and Wayve launch autonomous robotaxis in London

Uber has launched a fleet of 15 autonomous Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles in London through a partnership with British technology company Wayve. The robotaxis utilize artificial intelligence to navigate the city's complex environment, which includes dense layouts, numerous roundabouts, and high volumes of cyclists and pedestrians.

Due to current London regulations, the vehicles are not yet permitted to operate with full autonomy; therefore, a human supervisor must remain on board during trips. While the service is available throughout London, it is currently restricted from making trips to the airport.

Wayve’s AI approach differs from competitors like Alphabet’s Waymo by utilizing a system trained on millions of hours of global driving experience rather than relying on pre-mapped city data. This allows the vehicles to make real-time decisions in unmapped or unfamiliar areas. Wayve’s investor base includes Uber, Nvidia, and Microsoft.