Uber launches UK's first robotaxis with a driver - here's what it's like to ride in one
The ride-hailing app has launched 15 self-driving taxis, but they will have safety drivers inside.
London commuters now have the option to hail Uber's first robotaxis in the UK. Initially, there are just 15 autonomous vehicles equipped with a human safety driver behind the wheel, ready to take control if needed. However, the company plans to roll out these self-driving minicabs over several years. As of now, the fare for a robotaxi ride aligns with a standard UberX, Electric, or Comfort journey, with upfront costs displayed in the app.
The car only appears as an option after the journey is booked and is available nearby. The safety driver intervenes in certain situations, as experienced when the author became the first UK journalist to ride in a self-driving Uber. The vehicle employed in the trial, a Ford Mustang electric car, is fitted with Wayve's driverless car technology that uses AI to analyze real-time data.
While the industry is racing to launch services, regulators are taking a more cautious approach, with the Department for Transport aiming for a 2027 framework, but no specific date has been set.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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