IT·Science News

London’s first robotaxis go live on Uber, with a safety driver and only a handful of cars

Londoners can now book self-driving taxis for the first time, after rides in Wayve’s autonomous cars were added to the Uber app on Thursday 3 September, The Guardian reports. Only 15 vehicles are licensed so far, against more than 100,000 private hire vehicles in the capital, and each will carry a licensed human driver ready to take over. Approval for fully driverless operation needs a separate process and is now seen as unlikely this year.

Wayve’s chief executive, Alex Kendall, said the technology was “still maturing” but driverless rides would come.

“I don’t want to put a timeline on it, but we’re pushing as fast as we can.” — Alex Kendall, Wayve, via The Guardian

How each outlet framed it

• The Guardian — the reality check: Wayve’s system learns to drive with AI rather than relying on detailed maps like Waymo, which is also testing in London along with Baidu. Uber’s Sarfraz Maredia said nobody can yet run autonomous rides more cheaply than human-driven ones.
• The Star — the rider’s view: passengers booking UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Electric may be matched with a Wayve-powered Ford Mustang Mach-E at no extra cost. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander called it a “major milestone”, and London is Uber and Wayve’s second European robotaxi city after Zagreb.

Where the numbers differ: The Guardian counted 15 licensed cars; Reuters, via The Star, said fewer than 20.

What we don't know yet: when Wayve’s planned Nissan Leaf robotaxis will be ready and when regulators will allow rides without a safety driver.