BBC reporter rides Uber self‑driving robotaxi in London

BBC journalist Zoe Kleinman became one of the first passengers to test Uber’s newly launched self‑driving robotaxi service on Thursday, marking the public rollout of the autonomous ride‑hailing offering. The trial, conducted in a major UK city, saw Kleinman board a purpose‑built electric vehicle equipped with a suite of sensors and a Level 4 autonomy system that allows it to operate without a human driver under predefined conditions. Uber officials said the service is intended to complement its conventional ride‑hailing platform, providing a low‑cost, on‑demand transport option while gathering data to refine the technology.

The launch follows months of regulatory approvals and safety assessments by the UK’s Department for Transport, which has stipulated strict operational limits for the pilot. Uber plans to expand the robotaxi fleet to additional locations later this year, contingent on performance metrics and public acceptance. Kleinman’s ride, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and covered a typical city route, demonstrated the vehicle’s ability to navigate traffic, obey road rules and interact with passengers through an in‑car interface, signaling a significant step forward for autonomous mobility services in the United Kingdom.