Uber to Trial Autonomous Cars in London in 2026

Uber is set to trial robotaxis in London next spring.

Robotaxis are autonomous cars with no human safety driver at the wheel.

The ride-hailing app will work with the UK artificial intelligence firm Wayve, which has been testing out the technology on the city’s streets with human oversight, in line with current legislation.

The announcement comes after the UK government again changed its rules about the driverless cars.

It was originally aiming for the tech to come to British roads in 2026, then the date was changed to the second half of 2027.

But it now says it is introducing an accelerated framework for small autonomous “bus and taxi like” commercial services to get them underway earlier.

It is not yet clear whether the vehicles in Uber’s trial will be available for customers to use – the firm says it is still working out the details.

It has previously said it intends to add them as a regular option via its UK app as soon as legislation allows.

The Department for Transport says the industry could create 38,000 jobs and add £42bn to the UK economy by 2035.

But speaking to the BBC last month, GMB national secretary Andy Prendergast said the “significant social implications” driverless cars and taxis could have – including on unemployment – should also be fully considered.