Uber and Wayve Get London Approval for Supervised Self-Driving Rides
Uber Technologies and Wayve have secured the green light from Transport for London (TfL) to initiate supervised autonomous ride-hailing services in the city. On Wednesday, TfL issued private-hire vehicle licenses for several Wayve autonomous cars, permitting rides with a safety driver onboard. This approval comes after extensive testing and collaboration between the two companies, with services anticipated to commence this summer in select locations. This development positions London as a significant hub for autonomous transportation in Europe, alongside San Francisco and Phoenix. The supervised rides will facilitate real-world data gathering while addressing safety issues. Details regarding pricing and specific service areas are still pending, with more information expected shortly.
Key facts
- Uber and Wayve received regulatory approval from Transport for London (TfL) for supervised autonomous rides.
- TfL granted private-hire vehicle licenses to several of Wayve's autonomous vehicles on Wednesday.
- The service will start this summer with a safety driver present.
- This is a significant step for autonomous vehicle deployment in London.
- The approval follows testing and collaboration between Uber and Wayve.
- London joins other cities like San Francisco and Phoenix in hosting autonomous ride-hailing services.
- Wayve is a UK-based autonomous vehicle startup.
- Uber has been seeking to expand its autonomous vehicle partnerships.
Entities
Institutions
- Uber Technologies
- Wayve
- Transport for London
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- San Francisco
- Phoenix
Sources
- Quartz —