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Uber and Wayve Launch London's First Supervised Robotaxi Service

September 2, 2026 at 22:31 EDT

Robotics
Foundation Models
Policy & Regulation

Uber Technologies and British startup Wayve have launched supervised autonomous rides in London, the first public robotaxi service available to paying passengers in the United Kingdom. From Thursday, riders who request UberX, Uber Electric, or Uber Comfort may be matched with a Wayve-powered all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E at no extra cost, with a trained, Transport for London-licensed private hire driver remaining onboard to oversee the trip.

September 3, 2026 · Uber × Wayve

London's first public robotaxis go live — still with a human in the seat

Uber and Wayve opened supervised autonomous rides in the United Kingdom. Riders can be matched with a Ford Mustang Mach-E through the Uber app, at regular fares, anywhere in London except airports.

TfL-licensed supervised vehicles

140k+

Londoners opted in for a Wayve match

languages on the in-car screen

Uber markets planned for Wayve

Why London is the hard test

Cyclists and pedestrians on the road, relative to San Francisco

1×

San Francisco

15×

London

Wayve's CEO says that density, plus roundabouts and irregular streets, is why a working AI Driver here would be a proof point for almost anywhere.

How a Wayve ride is booked

Step 1

Request UberX, Comfort, or Electric

→

Step 2

Accept or decline the Wayve match

→

Step 3

Ride with a TfL-licensed supervisor

Same fare as a regular trip. No airport pickups or drop-offs at launch.

What is working

Early trips handled lights, roadworks, and a cyclist waving the car through. Riders can decline an autonomous match, and more than 140,000 people have already opted in.

What still constrains it

Safety drivers still take the wheel — including when a van door swung open on a narrow street. A union official called unsupervised service premature.

Still not driverless

A separate UK permit is required before anyone leaves the front seat.

Transport for London says no operator has begun approval for vehicles with nobody behind the wheel.
The Department for Transport is working toward a framework for 2027.
Waymo still aims to carry passengers with an empty driver's seat by year-end, subject to government approval.

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