Uber launches UK's first robotaxis with a driver - here's what it's like to ride in one

London residents can now summon the UK's inaugural robotaxis, marking Uber's pioneering venture into self-driving minicabs. Currently, Uber operates 15 autonomous vehicles in the city, each accompanied by a human safety driver at the wheel, poised to take control if necessary. Following a survey of London-based customers via the Uber app, over 100,000 individuals expressed their willingness to opt for a self-driving taxi, despite previous incidents of malfunction in US cities where driverless rides are already prevalent.

During my experience as the first UK journalist to hail a self-driving Uber, the ride was mostly seamless. However, the safety driver did intervene once, demonstrating the system's reliance on human oversight. For the moment, the fare for a robotaxi ride will match the standard fare for an UberX, Uber Electric, or Uber Comfort journey, with upfront costs displayed in the app.

The option to request a self-driving ride will only appear in the app post-journey booking, contingent on the availability of a nearby autonomous vehicle.

Uber's global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, Sarfraz Maredia, outlined the company's strategy to roll out robotaxis gradually over several years. He emphasized that consumers will always have the choice to request a human-driven ride or an autonomous vehicle, and the presence of human drivers in London is expected to persist for an extended period.

The fleet of 15 Ford Mustang electric vehicles used by Uber is equipped with Wayve's driverless car technology, an AI system that analyzes real-time data about the vehicle's surroundings through sensors on the roof and elsewhere.

Wayve chief executive Alex Kendall described the development of self-driving technology as "the space race for our generation," acknowledging the significant challenges ahead. Their innovative approach aims to bring autonomous driving to busy, complex cities like London and scale it globally. In my ride, the safety driver provided a brief safety briefing before we began navigating London's bustling streets, successfully maneuvering through traffic, traffic lights, and roadworks.

However, the safety driver took control at one point when a cyclist paused to wave us forward at a mini roundabout.

The government and industry had proposed fully driverless cars for hire in London by the end of 2026, but this timeline now appears less certain. The Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) are responsible for overseeing the rollout, and they have been criticized for their slow response. A DfT spokesperson stated that the government aims to establish a framework for self-driving cars by 2027, subject to rigorous safety testing and regulatory approval, along with local consent considering potential impacts on local roads, jobs, and communities.

Experts emphasize the numerous safety challenges that regulators must address. Prof Siddartha Khastgir, head of safe autonomy at the University of Warwick's Warwick Manufacturing Group, highlighted the complexities of emergency situations and the nuances of self-driving vehicles in crowded urban environments. Despite these challenges, Uber continues to pave the way for the future of transportation in London.