London Launches First Self-Driving Taxis for Hire

Londoners can now book self‑driving taxis for the first time after Wayve’s autonomous vehicles were added to the Uber app on Thursday. The service, which pairs a human driver seated in front of the vehicle ready to take over if needed, currently operates with only 15 licensed cars in the city. Riders can request a Wayve robotaxi through the familiar Uber interface, but the limited fleet means that immediate availability is unlikely.

The launch marks a milestone for autonomous transport in the capital, where more than 100,000 private‑hire vehicles compete for passengers. Roughly the same number of Uber users have registered to take autonomous rides, signalling a growing appetite for driverless options. Wayve’s entry into the market follows a series of regulatory approvals that have paved the way for commercial trials of self‑driving taxis across the United Kingdom.

While the rollout is modest, it demonstrates the feasibility of integrating autonomous vehicles into mainstream ride‑hailing platforms. As the fleet expands and regulatory frameworks evolve, the number of available Wayve robotaxis is expected to grow, potentially reshaping the future of urban mobility in London.