In a significant leap forward for urban mobility, UK-based robotics startup Wayve and Uber have revealed plans to begin public road trials of Level 4 (L4) fully autonomous vehicles in London. This partnership marks the UK as the largest European market yet to explore driverless ride-hailing services.
Under the framework established by the UK Secretary of State for Transport—who today announced new regulatory provisions to accelerate autonomous vehicle pilots—Wayve and Uber will work closely with the UK Government and Transport for London to secure permits and approvals ahead of the trial launch, expected in spring 2026.
Wayve’s «Embodied AI» platform, designed to operate map-free and adapt seamlessly across diverse urban environments, will be integrated into Uber’s ride-hailing fleet in London. CEO Alex Kendall emphasized that this trial “brings us closer to bringing safe and intelligent driving to everyday rides across the UK and beyond.”
Meanwhile, Uber’s President Andrew Macdonald reiterated the company’s vision: “to make autonomy a safe and reliable option for riders everywhere,” and hailed London’s complex traffic landscape as a robust proving ground for next-gen mobility.
The UK government estimates this initiative could spark the creation of 38,000 new jobs and contribute approximately £42 billion to the national economy.
Autonomous vehicles are often tested in tightly controlled environments, but this trial will take place on open public roads, giving Wayve’s AI a chance to learn from real-world scenarios—broad roads, roundabouts, cyclists, dense pedestrian zones—where HD map reliance and rigid geofencing traditionally limit driverless tech.
If successful, this pilot may pave the way for similar autonomy deployments across cities worldwide.
