Uber has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Wayve, a London-based autonomous vehicle startup, to launch fully driverless ride-hailing services in the United Kingdom starting spring 2026. This pilot program will mark Uber’s first-ever Level 4 autonomous ride service, meaning vehicles will operate without a human safety driver in the driver’s seat.
The announcement follows recent progress in the global race to deploy robotaxi services, with companies like Waymo already operating autonomous fleets in cities such as San Francisco. Uber’s move, however, represents a significant leap for autonomy in the UK, setting the stage for mainstream adoption of self-driving technology.
Wayve, backed by investors including SoftBank, specializes in AI-driven self-driving software that enables vehicles to interpret complex road conditions and operate autonomously in various urban environments. The company’s platform is designed to be flexible and adaptable to different vehicle models and cities.
“This is a defining moment for UK autonomy,” said Wayve CEO Alex Kendall. “We are preparing to put our AI Driver technology into real service on the streets of London.” Uber’s President and COO, Andrew MacDonald, echoed the sentiment, noting that the partnership advances Uber’s mission to make autonomy a “safe and reliable option for riders everywhere.”
The UK’s Department for Transport is introducing an “accelerated framework” for commercial self-driving vehicle trials, which enables the pilot to move forward. Uber and Wayve will also collaborate closely with Transport for London (TfL) to secure the necessary regulatory approvals and ensure compliance with safety standards.
The launch follows the UK’s passage of the Autonomous Vehicles Act in 2023, which aims to make the country a global leader in self-driving technology. The law sets the groundwork for autonomous vehicles to operate legally on British roads starting in 2026.
