Londoners hailing a ride with Uber might be paired with its new Wayve robotaxis as part of a new trial.
The arrival of the robotaxis in London has been a hot topic since firms like Waymo began tests on the capital’s streets, followed by British firm Wayve and Baidu.
All three are eager to start driving paying customers around without a safety driver behind the wheel, but major regulatory red tape still needs clearing before the human drivers can be ditched.
In the latest twist, partners Uber and Wayve launched a controlled trial using its autonomous electric Ford Mustang Mach-E cars today.
Before the trial, people could sign up to register their interest in testing the Wayve Ford Mustang, and more than 140,000 people have registered so far, Uber said.
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Wayve was granted a minicab licence for its self-driving Ford Mustangs, although this was under the traditional private hire rules. For its future full launch, Wayve will switch to the new Nissan Leaf vehicles kitted with NVIDIA’s technology currently in production.
How does the Wayve ride work?
In a UK first, Londoners ordering a ride using the Uber app for any of the traditional vehicles – UberX, Uber Electric or Uber Comfort – might also see the option to choose a Wayve ride at no extra cost on top of the usual fare.
However, the option will not be automatically available to everyone.
Riders who luck out and match with a Wayve will see the option to accept it or switch to a regular non-automated ride.
When the robotaxi pulls in, along with the human driver behind the wheel, customers can unlock the doors and start the trip from the Uber app.
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Wayve journeys can be booked anywhere else in London except airports.
During the trial, anyone wanting to increase their chances for a Wayve match can opt in on the Uber app’s Trip Preferences section in Settings.
Alex Kendall, the CEO and co-founder of Wayve, said the introduction of the Wayve AI Driver and autonomous technology will ‘complement the city’s rich transport network.’
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has described self-driving taxis as an ‘incredible opportunity’ and said they could be safer than an average driver.
She described Wayve’s launch as ‘a major milestone for the future of transport in London’ using ‘British innovation.’
How popular are robotaxis?
The dawn of robotaxis remains a controversial topic for the industry teetering on the edge of a historic transformation.
Many conventional taxi firms, drivers and unions are largely against it due to concern over jobs and livelihoods.
Metro readers are also divided on the prospect of jumping into a robotaxi in London.
Around 58% of 78 respondents in a recent Metro poll said they would not yet use a robotaxi, while 30% were excited for the opportunity. Around 10% said they would maybe use one later.
What next for robotaxis?
All robotaxi companies vying for London commercial services will continue to test their technology and collect data from the capital’s complex traffic.
A Waymo spokesperson told Metro that it intends to offer rides to customers ‘with nobody behind the wheel by the end of the year, subject to government approval.’
Chinese Baidu and its sixth-generation RT6 robotaxis began testing in London with a safety driver at the end of July.
While some robotaxi companies had signalled hopes to start services later in 2026, government regulation is unlikely to be completed this year.
Behind the scenes, the Department for Transport (DfT) is working on the regulations governing self-driving taxis operating without a safety driver.
During the complex process, companies will have to apply for the Automated Passenger Services permit from the government’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) before they can carry passengers.
The permit applicants must have consent from Transport for London (TfL). TfL told Metro it is developing guidance for the applicants, which will be ‘issued shortly.’
There have been no applications for the DVSA permit or for the consent at this stage, according to TfL.
A DfT spokesperson told Metro: ‘Safety is our priority and we’re putting in place a world-leading regulatory framework to ensure self-driving vehicles are safely introduced from 2027.
‘These services will be introduced carefully, subject to rigorous safety testing and regulatory approval, and will require local consent which can consider the potential impacts on local roads, jobs and communities.
‘The industry could unlock billions for the UK economy and support thousands of skilled jobs, while giving disabled and older people greater independence by expanding their travel options.
A TfL spokesperson told Metro: ‘To ensure the guidance is as rigorous as it can be and doesn’t conflict with advice from other authorities, we are taking into account the DfT’s recently published advice and the findings of the London Assembly’s scrutiny that took place over the summer, and continue to engage with operators expressing an interest in operating in London.
‘The Automated Passenger Services permit is granted by the Government through the DVSA with TfL giving consent at the end of the process.
‘It is our understanding that no operator has completed the first stage of the process, which is registering vehicles with the Vehicle Certification Agency, and no applications for a DVSA permit, or TfL consent to operate in London have been received.’
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