Uber has begun accepting sign-ups for its upcoming robotaxi service in London, marking a significant step toward bringing fully autonomous ride-hailing to the UK capital later this year.
Customers in London can now join an “interest list” directly in the Uber app to get priority access when the service launches.
The company is partnering with British AI startup Wayve to deploy self-driving vehicles on London’s streets.
Initial operations will likely include safety drivers, with fully driverless (Level 4) rides expected to follow once regulatory approval is secured.
“This is the first time the general public will be able to hail an autonomous vehicle in the UK,” Wayve’s VP of commercial and operations Kaity Fischer was quoted by Reuters.
Wayve, a UK-based company backed by investors including Microsoft and Nvidia, uses a “mapless” AI system designed specifically to handle the complexity of London’s chaotic roads, unpredictable weather, pedestrians, and cyclists.
The partnership was announced last year, with Uber describing London as its first major robotaxi launch market in Europe.
Wayve is valued at over $8 billion (€7 billion) after a major funding round.
Uber has not given an exact launch date but has indicated commercial operations could begin “in the coming months”, subject to final regulatory clearance.
The UK government has fast-tracked autonomous vehicle trials, aiming to position Britain as a leader in self-driving technology.
With this move, Uber puts itself in direct competition with Waymo (Alphabet/Google), which is also preparing to launch in London in 2026.
Other players, including Chinese firm Baidu in partnership with Lyft, are also eyeing the UK market.
London’s black cab drivers and the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association have expressed mixed reactions, with some dismissing robotaxis as unrealistic in the short term, while others worry about long-term job impacts.
The development comes as the UK pushes to become one of the first major European countries to commercialise autonomous ride-hailing, following the passage of the Automated Vehicles Act. Success in London could pave the way for wider rollout across the UK and Europe.
Heidi Alexander, the minister of transport, stated on Monday that self-driving technology has the ability to completely change how people travel, increasing road safety while promoting economic growth and the creation of highly skilled jobs throughout the United Kingdom.
Uber customers can join the waitlist now via the app settings. The company says early access will be prioritised for those who sign up soon.
