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Posted on the 11th June 2025 in PHTM News
LONDON GEARS UP FOR ROBOTAXI REVOLUTION AS UBER ANNOUNCES SELF DRIVING TRIALS NEXT SPRING
The streets of London are set to welcome driverless taxis as early as spring 2026, following Uber's announcement of a landmark trial in partnership with UK tech firm Wayve.
This move comes after the UK government fast-tracked plans for fully autonomous vehicle pilots, allowing companies to operate small-scale taxi or "bus-like" services for public use without a human safety driver on board for the first time in Europe.
Uber, which sees London as its largest European market, plans for these autonomous vehicles to be bookable via its app.
A broader rollout of these "robotaxis" is anticipated after the Automated Vehicles Act fully takes effect in late 2027. The UK has accelerated its timeline, drawing lessons from established driverless taxi services in cities such as San Francisco and various locations in China.
The Department for Transport (DfT) anticipates significant economic benefits, projecting the technology could generate 38,000 jobs and contribute £42 billion to the industry by 2035.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hailed the development, stating: "The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology."
The DfT also believes these vehicles will enhance road safety, introduce new public transport options in rural areas, and improve accessibility for non-drivers.
While self-driving vehicle trials have occurred in the UK for over a decade, all previous road tests required a safety driver. The new Automated Vehicles Act mandates that self-driving cars must demonstrate "a level of safety at least as high as competent and careful human drivers."
Wayve co-founder and CEO, Alex Kendall, expressed optimism about the accelerated trials, saying: "These early pilots will help build public trust and unlock new jobs, services and markets."
Gavin Jackson, CEO of fellow British firm Oxa, echoed this sentiment, noting the announcement "shows that Britain is ready for this technology."
However, the impending arrival of robotaxis has sparked concern among some, particularly regarding the future of existing taxi and private hire/Uber drivers.
Labour’s transport spokesperson in the London assembly, Elly Baker, warned: "Although jobs might be created building and managing driverless cars, existing taxi and private hire drivers shouldn’t risk being left behind."
Black cab drivers, long accustomed to market shifts, appear largely unperturbed. Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, dismissed the plans as unrealistic. "They are living in fantasy land. We’re probably going to have flying taxis before we have autonomous ones in London," McNamara quipped.
He questioned public trust, adding: "Are people who don’t trust a robot to cut their grass or clean their house going to trust one to take their kids to school or drive their elderly mum around?"
McNamara remains unconvinced, stating: "I’m genuinely not worried. Come back to me in 2040."
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