Uber robotaxis set for London debut after getting minicab licences

Robotaxis are set to debut on the streets of London after Wayve was granted minicab licences by Transport for London (TfL).

A number of autonomous pure electric Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles were approved for private hire vehicle (PHV) licences by Transport for London (TfL), Wayve said on Wednesday.

Uber, which will operate the vehicles, said that, ahead of a full public launch, rides would be offered "later this summer" to some of the 100,000 people who signed up to express their interest in trying robotaxis.

There will, however, be a human driver sitting behind the wheel ready to take control during journeys.

If and when the technology is shown to be safe, Uber and Wayve will need to obtain separate approval from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency if they want to operate the cars without a driver.

Wayve vice president for global affairs and assurance, Sarah Gates, called the granting of the licences "an important step towards giving Londoners the chance to experience autonomous driving technology".

She said: "The responsible deployment of these vehicles will bring us safer, cleaner and quieter streets, and we're proud to continue working alongside regulators, communities, and the public as we take the next steps towards making autonomous rides a reality in the capital".

Uber global head of autonomous mobility operations Annie Duvnjak described the occasion as a "key milestone in bringing autonomous rides to London on Uber".

She said: "Our interest list has seen an incredible response from Londoners who are excited to experience Wayve's British-built autonomous driving technology."

A TfL spokesperson said safety is its "top priority", adding that any new vehicle licensed to carry passengers in the city must align with its target of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries on London's roads by 2041.

Wayve's modifications to the Mustang Mach-E - such as its six cameras - were assessed by experts who found "they do not compromise passenger safety", the spokesperson added.

A qualified driver must be present and remain responsible for the car under the terms of a PHV licence.

Matthew Wright, regional organiser for the GMB Union, which represents thousands of private hire drivers in London, described TfL's decision as "a worrying development".

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He said: "We can't go charging ahead with new technologies without considering the implications of autonomous vehicles on all parties."

These include how drivers will be "supported to reskill and redeploy if their jobs go", and how driverless cars "cannot replace the knowledge, experience and human connection that a skilled driver offers".

London will be the first city in the world to use Wayve's technology for commercial journeys.

The company is also working with car manufacturers such as Nissan and Stellantis to deploy its systems in private vehicles.

(c) Sky News 2026: Uber robotaxis set for London debut after getting minicab licences