Uber launches self-driving minicabs in London with safety drivers on board
Uber has begun operating the UK's first robotaxi service in London, using 15 Ford Mustang electric vehicles fitted with Wayve's autonomous driving technology. Each car currently requires a human safety driver ready to intervene, and rides cost the same as a standard UberX, Electric or Comfort trip. The self-driving option only appears in the app after booking, if a suitable vehicle is nearby.
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This marks the UK's entry into a global race among Uber, Waymo and Baidu to commercialise autonomous ride-hailing, with London becoming a testbed for regulatory and public acceptance of driverless taxis. Despite past malfunctions reported in US robotaxi markets, Uber says over 100,000 London users expressed interest, suggesting strong latent demand that could reshape urban transport and driving jobs over the coming years.
- Uber's London robotaxi fleet has only 15 vehicles, each with a human safety driver
- Fares match standard UberX, Electric or Comfort pricing, with no premium yet
- Uber expects human drivers to coexist with autonomous vehicles for years as the market grows
Anker PowerCore Portable Charger — Hailing rides across London means your phone is doing the heavy lifting dash booking, tracking, and unlocking the car dash so a dead battery is the real ride-killer. Anker's slim PowerCore power bank slips in a jacket pocket and tops up your phone between journeys, whether your driver is human or an algorithm.
See Anker PowerCore Portable Charger on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: bbc.co.uk — Watch Our Pick Of Standout Clips Across The Bbc, 2026-09-02
Published there as: “Uber launches UK's first robotaxis with a driver - here's what it's like to ride in one”
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