Posted on the 3rd June 2026 in PHTM News

LONDON WATCHDOG LAUNCHES INQUIRY INTO SAFETY AND JOB RISKS OF LOOMING ROBOTAXI ROLLOUT

The London Assembly Transport Committee has launched an urgent inquiry into driverless taxis as technology firms push to launch commercial robotaxi services in the capital before the end of the year.

The investigation will examine how self-driving vehicles should be licensed and regulated by the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL), especially after government plans accelerated the approval process for driverless trials without human safety backups.

Public anxiety over the technology remains high. Research by automotive data company HPI revealed that "almost four in five people in London would not feel comfortable travelling in a vehicle without a driver," while a mere 21 per cent said they actually trusted the technology.

Additionally, more than a third of those surveyed openly questioned the reliability of autonomous systems.

While firms such as Waymo - which currently tests 24 human-operated cars in London - claim their vehicles are involved in "92 per cent fewer collisions" than human drivers, the Assembly remains sceptical.

Critics argue that valid safety comparisons are difficult to make because autonomous cars have not yet covered enough miles or faced enough complex traffic scenarios to definitively prove they are safer.

Cybersecurity experts have also raised the alarm over hacking risks, pointing to government analysis that warned connected vehicles could become targets for criminals or terrorists seeking to disrupt networks or demand ransom payments.

Beyond safety, the inquiry will heavily focus on the economic and social fallout of automation. Traditional cab and private hire drivers face a massive threat to their livelihoods, with more than 380,000 licensed drivers across the UK potentially affected by the shift.

There are also growing concerns regarding the city's potential dependence on private, foreign-owned commercial firms to run vital pieces of London's transport infrastructure.

Supporters of the technology emphasise its massive economic potential, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders estimating that self-driving transport could add £66 billion to the UK economy by 2040.

However, Assembly members are questioning how commercial robotaxis align with the Mayor’s broader environmental and traffic goals, which include cutting traffic by 15 per cent and encouraging walking and cycling.

TfL has maintained that any future rollout must firmly support "safer roads", "better air quality" and "protection for vulnerable road users."


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