Uber To Test Driverless Taxis In The UK

Uber will begin testing fully autonomous taxis — with no human safety drivers — on the streets of London next spring, Zoe Kleinman reported for BBC News.

Uber intends to integrate robotaxis into its UK app once regulations permit. I Photo: NVIDIA

The ride-hailing company is partnering with UK artificial intelligence firm Wayve, which has already been conducting supervised tests in the city under current legislation.

The announcement follows yet another shift in the UK government’s timeline for deploying driverless vehicles.

Initially slated for 2026 and later delayed to late 2027, the government now says it will fast-track a regulatory framework allowing small-scale commercial services, such as autonomous buses and taxis, to begin operations sooner.

It remains unclear whether Uber’s trial vehicles will be open to the public. The company says it is still finalizing plans but has previously stated it intends to integrate robotaxis into its UK app once regulations permit.

According to the Department for Transport, the autonomous vehicle industry could create 38,000 jobs and add £42 billion to the UK economy by 2035.

However, GMB union national secretary Andy Prendergast warned of the “significant social implications,” particularly potential job losses. Uber launched a similar service in Austin, Texas, in March and claims its driverless taxis can operate 20 hours per day, seven days a week.