Uber Launches 15 Robotaxis in London With Safety Drivers

Uber has launched the UK's first robotaxi service in London, starting with 15 autonomous Ford Mustang electric vehicles. Each vehicle has a licence to operate in the city and must carry a human safety driver who can take control if needed.

The cars use driverless technology from UK firm Wayve. Its artificial intelligence analyses real-time sensor data from equipment on the roof and elsewhere on the vehicle. The cars are not pre-programmed; their actions are determined according to surrounding conditions.

BBC journalist Zoe Kleinman became the first British journalist to ride in one as a customer. She reported a mostly smooth journey through central London, including traffic lights and roadworks. The safety driver intervened once when the back doors of a van parked on a narrow road appeared to open. Wayve said it believed the artificial intelligence system would have handled the situation.

Robotaxi fares currently match UberX, Uber Electric, and Uber Comfort fares, with upfront prices shown in the app. The option appears only after a journey is booked and when a vehicle is available nearby.

Uber said the vehicles would be introduced over several years. The UK government said fully driverless services would require safety testing, regulatory approval, and local consent. Waymo and Baidu are also seeking to launch services in the UK.