Uber to bring self-driving cars on to Britain's streets next year
Uber is preparing to test fully self-driving taxis on London's roads for the first time.
The US ride-hailing company confirmed on Tuesday it had signed a deal with Wayve, an autonomous driving and artificial intelligence start-up founded in Cambridge, to pilot its technology on UK roads from next spring.
The trials come after Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, brought forward rules that will allow advanced driverless taxi and bus services to operate on British streets from 2026.
Self-driving cars have been promised by successive governments, although until now, they have operated under strict safety conditions with a driver behind the wheel at all times when operating in public.
The Uber trials will allow cars to be piloted without a human safety driver behind the wheel. Members of the public could book driverless cabs using their smartphone under the fast-track tests. A wider rollout is planned for the second half of 2027.
Autonomous taxis from companies such as Google's Waymo have already launched on US streets in California. Elon Musk's Tesla, meanwhile, is preparing to bring a driverless taxi service to Austin, Texas, later this month.
However, self-driving cars in the US have faced a frosty reception from motorists and pedestrians and have been blamed for a series of accidents. Cars have also been repeatedly vandalised, with protesters torching several Waymo vehicles in this week's riots in Los Angeles.
Drivers have blamed self-driving cars for erratic driving behaviour and causing traffic jams. In 2023, a taxi operated by GM's Cruise business hit a pedestrian and dragged them for 20ft, leaving them with serious injuries.
The division was later fined over its alleged failure to properly report details of the crash. In December, GM pulled the plug on the self-driving car business, despite investing more than $10bn (£7.4bn) in the technology.
Uber, meanwhile, was involved in the first fatal crash involving a self-driving car. In 2018, one of its test vehicles hit Elaine Herzberg in Tempe, Arizona. Uber was found not to be criminally responsible, and its safety driver later pleaded guilty to a charge of endangerment.
Ms Alexander said safety would be 'at the heart of our pilots and legislation'.
Uber said the self-driving trial, its first in the UK, would involve so-called 'level 4' autonomous vehicles, meaning they can handle nearly all driving scenarios without human intervention. The software will be supplied by Wayve, which has raised more than $1bn for its technology, which it has previously trialled on UK roads.
Ms Alexander said: 'The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology.'
Andrew MacDonald, Uber's chief operating officer, said: 'Our vision is to make autonomy a safe and reliable option for riders everywhere, and this trial in London brings that future closer to reality.'
Wayve and Uber will sign up a vehicle-maker to supply cars for the trial, the companies said. Uber said the UK trials would help develop the technology on complex roads and with different driving rules and conditions from the US.
Industry welcomed the announcement. Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: 'The pilot rollout of commercial self-driving services from next year will widen public access to mobility, while the consultation will ensure the technology is deployed in a safe and responsible way.'
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