Uber and Wayve are joining forces to kick off public trials of self-driving cars in London—no safety drivers on board. It’s a bold leap toward launching commercial robotaxi services in one of the toughest cities to navigate. The UK government is also speeding things up, aiming for self-driving pilots by spring 2026, a full year ahead of schedule.
These trials will blend Wayve’s experience-based AI with Uber’s massive mobility platform. London’s messy, unpredictable roads make it the perfect testing ground. Unlike most self-driving systems that rely on maps and hand-coded rules, Wayve’s AI learns by doing—already tested everywhere from the Swiss Alps to the streets of Tokyo.
The partnership builds on their existing relationship, which started back in August 2024 when Uber backed Wayve’s Series C funding round. London is the starting point, but they’re eyeing other European cities next. The UK government sees big potential here: 38,000 new jobs and £42 billion added to the economy.
Uber says the goal is to make autonomous rides safe and available to all. And as Wayve’s CEO Alex Kendall puts it—if the tech can handle London, it can handle anything. The two companies are working closely with the UK Government and Transport for London to get everything greenlit.
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