Uber and Wayve launch self-driving taxi trials
The UK government is fast-tracking its plans for self-driving vehicle trials, with commercial pilots now set to begin in spring 2026, a year earlier than previously expected.
The initiative, announced during London Tech Week, is part of a broader push to establish the UK as a global hub for autonomous technology.
As part of this vision, Uber is partnering with British AI company Wayve to pilot fully driverless rides in London.
The upcoming trials will feature small-scale taxi and shuttle-like services without safety drivers, available to the public via booking apps.
These early deployments aim to build public confidence and lay the groundwork for broader adoption when the Automated Vehicles Act comes into effect in the second half of 2027.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the new legislation will ensure autonomous vehicles meet or exceed the safety standards of human drivers.
The government anticipates that the sector could create 38,000 jobs and add £42 billion to the UK economy by 2035.
The Uber-Wayve collaboration is expected to be one of the first real-world implementations of the UK’s autonomous vehicle roadmap.
Wayve, a homegrown British startup, has to date attracted over $1 billion in investment and has already partnered with major automakers like Nissan.
