‘Leicester Square, please guv’: Self-driving taxis cleared for London streets ‘later this summer’
Summary
Uber and Wayve have received licenses to operate self-driving taxis with safety drivers in London starting later this summer. The taxis will use artificial intelligence and cameras to drive, but a human will be in the driver's seat to take control if needed.Key Facts
- Uber and Wayve got the first licenses for self-driving minicabs in London.
- The taxis will begin trips for paying customers later this summer with human safety drivers present.
- Vehicles used are Ford Mustang Mach-E cars equipped with Wayve’s AI driving software, cameras, and radar.
- Transport for London approved the taxis after confirming they met safety standards.
- Fully driverless operation will require a new permit and government approval.
- Over 100,000 Londoners have signed up to try the self-driving taxis.
- TfL will watch the service closely to protect passenger safety and aims to reduce road injuries by 2041.
- Uber stopped developing its own self-driving tech in 2020 but now partners with companies like Wayve to offer autonomous rides.
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