‘Leicester Square, please guv’: Self-driving taxis cleared for London streets ‘later this summer’

Wayve and Uber have secured the initial minicab licences in London to operate self-driving taxis, according to Transport for London (TfL). However, these vehicles will initially be manned by a safety driver. The companies aim to launch these services in the UK "later this summer," with over 100,000 Londoners already waiting for the autonomous taxis.

TfL granted 15 licences to Ford Mustang Mach-E cars equipped with Wayve's AI driving software, as well as surrounding cameras and radar, confirming they meet safety standards. A licensed human driver will remain in the driver's seat during trips to intervene if needed. The British capital will be one of the first cities globally to host tech companies from the US and China operating on the same roads.

TfL emphasized that safety is their top priority and that they are prepared to step in if passenger safety is compromised. Wayve, co-founded by Alex Kendall, has been testing its technology in London since 2018 with safety drivers. The licence is seen as a significant step toward providing Londoners with the opportunity to experience autonomous driving technology.

However, the news has not been warmly received by minicab drivers, who worry about job losses and increased unemployment due to autonomous vehicles.