Uber robotaxis confirmed to hit UK roads this summer – but there’s a catch

A FLEET of Uber’s self-driving robotaxis are set to hit roads this summer, after being granted a private hire license. Over 100,000 Brits have signed up to try out the vehicles, with some having the chance to take an early trip from later this summer. Uber’s brand-new autonomous robotaxis are officially coming to London later this summer Credit: Reuters Some lucky Brits may get the chance to take a spin in these vehicles after 100,000 people showed interest Credit: Reuters Uber‘s autonomous robotaxis are rolling out across London over summer after receiving approval from Transport for London. British tech company Wayve, which has been developing autonomous Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles, has been told that its taxis fit all the necessary standards required by TfL. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! TfL has further said that safety is a “top priority” for this rollout, and the new vehicles must align with the aim of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries on London roads by 2041. However, there is a catch – under the new authorisation, a human driver is required to sit behind the wheel at all times and intervene if any issues arise. They must be qualified to drive and remain responsible for the vehicle at all times. London is now set to become the first city in the world to roll out Wayve’s technology for commercial driving purposes. The Ford Mustang Mach-Es, have also been fitted with six additional cameras inside. Around 100,000 people have shared their interest in riding in a robotaxi through Uber’s Interest List over the past eight weeks. Most read in Motors Once rides are active on Uber, some regular customers will be able to try the Wayve cars when requesting a regular journey Credit: Reuters Google-backed Waymo cars have been tested around the capital during recent months Credit: Alamy A select few applicants who have signed up will have the chance to take an early trip later this summer, ahead of the full public launch. Once these rides are active on Uber, some customers may be offered autonomous rides when requesting an UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric from qualifying locations. Uber and Wayve are not the only motor brand vying to take over the driverless car space, with Google-backed Waymo actively testing and mapping out a fleet of vehicles across the capital. Global head of autonomous mobility operations at Uber, Annie Duvnjak, said: “This licence is a key milestone in bringing autonomous rides to London on Uber. “Our interest list has seen an incredible response from Londoners who are excited to experience Wayve’s British-built autonomous driving technology.” Brits can expect to see Wayve’s driverless Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles across London from the end of summer. Comment now