Hailing a self-driving taxi could be a reality for Londoners later this summer after Uber and Wayve were awarded licences.
London transport is getting closer to a historical crossroads as robotaxi firms are preparing to launch in the capital.
The curious-looking robotaxis – with a safety human driver sitting behind the wheel – have been tested in London throughout 2026, with the likes of Waymo and Wayve eager to start offering rides to customers.
Now the tech company Wayve and its partner Uber have been granted minicab licences by Transport for London (TfL).
Wayve said its fleet of autonomous, fully electric Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles was given the private hire vehicle licences.
Having cleared the major red tape hurdle, it means Uber is now one step closer to carrying customers.
Would you use a robotaxi in London?
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Yes, I’m excited for their launch
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No thank you, I don’t trust the tech yet
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Maybe later
However, it appears they will be offered on a soft launch basis at first.
Uber said that some of the 100,000 people who signed up to express interest in experiencing robotaxis will be offered rides ‘later this summer,’ before a full public launch.
The taxis won’t be fully autonomous – a human safety driver is required to sit behind the wheel in case they need to take over the controls.
If they want to operate the cars without the human safety driver, Wayve and Uber will then have to obtain separate permission from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
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Wayve’s vice president for global affairs and assurance, Sarah Gates, said: ‘This licence is an important step towards giving Londoners the chance to experience autonomous driving technology.
‘The responsible deployment of these vehicles will bring us safer, cleaner and quieter streets, and we’re proud to continue working alongside regulators, communities and the public as we take the next steps towards making autonomous rides a reality in the capital.’
Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility operations Annie Duvnjak said: ‘This licence is a key milestone in bringing autonomous rides to London on Uber.
‘Our interest list has seen an incredible response from Londoners who are excited to experience Wayve’s British-built autonomous driving technology.’
Meanwhile, TfL said that safety is its ‘top priority’ and any new vehicle licensed to carry passengers in the city must align with its target of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads by 2041.
Reaction to the announcement
Not everyone has welcomed the development, which is seen as a threat to taxi drivers’ livelihoods and an existential crisis for the profession.
Matthew Wright from the GMB Union, which represents thousands of private hire drivers in London, said the decision is a ‘worrying development.’
He said: ‘We can’t go charging ahead with new technologies without considering the implications of autonomous vehicles on all parties.’
The App Drivers and Couriers Union (ACDU) has opposed the rollout of robotaxis.
It held a protest outside Waymo’s Park Royal site yesterday.
The union said: ‘Thousands of private hire drivers are already facing falling earnings, insecure work, and unfair treatment. The rollout of autonomous vehicles without proper safeguards risks making these challenges even worse.’
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