Uber and Wayve prepare robotaxi launch in London amid competition with Waymo
With regulatory approval pending, the new service will initially operate with safety operators, marking a strategic pivot for Uber as it diversifies its autonomous vehicle investments.
Uber has launched an interest list for UK customers to access Wayve’s autonomous vehicles, signalling preparations for a robotaxi service in London. The move positions the ride-hailing giant to compete directly with Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving subsidiary, which is currently testing its autonomous Jaguar I-Pace fleet in the city. While the official launch date remains unconfirmed, Uber has indicated the service will arrive in the coming months, pending regulatory approval from the UK government.
The initial rollout will feature a branded, black Ford Mustang Mach-E equipped with Wayve’s self-driving technology. Uber has designed the in-vehicle experience, including interactive touchscreens that support 64 languages. Riders can opt into the autonomous vehicle programme through their app settings, though they retain the ability to decline a robotaxi and request a human driver. The service will initially operate with a human safety operator behind the wheel before transitioning to fully driverless operations in the future.
This development highlights a growing tension in the relationship between Uber and Waymo. Although the companies maintain a partnership in the United States, with Waymo vehicles available on the Uber app in cities such as Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta, the alliance appears strained. Uber has diversified its autonomous vehicle investments, including significant funding for Wayve, while simultaneously taking public shots at Waymo’s operations.
Uber’s chief technology officer, Praveen Neppalli, recently posted commentary on X criticising the unsafe behaviour of a Waymo robotaxi, describing it as “scary.” This public criticism underscores Uber’s broader ambition to gain market share in the nascent autonomous vehicle industry, evidenced by the recent establishment of two new divisions: AV Labs and Uber Autonomous Solutions.
Financial ties between Uber and Wayve are substantial. In February, Wayve raised $1.2 billion, with Uber participating as a return investor. An additional $300 million from Uber is contingent on the deployment of robotaxis in London. However, the launch faces a regulatory hurdle, as the UK Department for Transport is currently developing specific autonomous vehicle regulations. The department opened applications for an AV pilot program in May, which will inform future policy, though the timeline for final regulations remains unclear.
