Uber is prepared to launch its driverless taxis in the UK, but the country’s regulatory approval for fully autonomous vehicles has been delayed. The previous government had planned for these vehicles to hit the road by 2026, but the new administration now expects legislation to be in place by the second half of 2027.
According to BBC, although some self-driving technology is already allowed on UK roads, a human driver must still remain at the wheel in these vehicles.
Uber, one of the leaders in the driverless taxi space, is eager to deploy robotaxis in the UK once the regulatory environment allows. The company is working with 18 automated car tech firms, including Wayve, a UK-based AI company, to make this a reality. Uber has already rolled out autonomous taxis in markets like the US, China, the UAE, and Singapore, and is ready to do the same in the UK as soon as the law permits.
Andrew Macdonald, Senior Vice President of Mobility at Uber, expressed confidence, stating, “We’re ready to launch robotaxis in the UK as soon as the regulatory environment is ready for us.” This sentiment reflects Uber’s belief in the transformative potential of driverless vehicles, not just for passengers but for the transportation sector as a whole.
In the UK, while there are trials underway using self-driving tech, the current regulations require that a human driver be in the car, ready to take control if necessary. In a demonstration, a Ford Mach-E equipped with Wayve’s autonomous driving system navigated through London’s busy streets without the need for human intervention. The vehicle successfully managed traffic, pedestrians, and even delivery bikes without issue.
Despite the advancements in autonomous vehicle technology, there is still a public concern over safety. A 2024 YouGov poll found that 37% of Brits feel “very unsafe” in self-driving cars. Uber, however, believes that once people experience autonomous rides, their concerns will fade, as has happened with other technological shifts.
One of the major challenges for self-driving cars in the UK is the practical issue of insurance and liability. In the event of an accident involving a driverless vehicle, it remains unclear who will be held responsible. However, Uber is optimistic that the technology will soon be refined enough to address these issues.
The introduction of autonomous taxis could have significant social and economic implications, particularly for those employed in traditional driving jobs. Nonetheless, the UK government has projected that the self-driving sector could be worth £42 billion by 2035, potentially creating thousands of jobs.
As the UK moves towards adopting fully autonomous vehicles, the experience in other countries will likely inform how the technology is rolled out. While the UK lags behind some countries, the future of autonomous taxis looks promising as both technological and regulatory hurdles are gradually overcome.
Article updated 4 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
