Uber taps AI firm Wayve to pilot fully driverless rides in the UK

In an exciting development for autonomous transportation, Uber has joined forces with Wayve, a leading self-driving technology company, to initiate trials of fully driverless rides across the United Kingdom. This pilot program marks a significant milestone for Uber, as it will enable passengers to utilize the ride-hailing service without the presence of a safety driver, achieving what is recognized in the industry as 'Level 4' autonomy. This innovative step comes as self-driving vehicles increasingly populate the streets of cities like San Francisco, where Waymo, a subsidiary of Google, operates a commercial ride-hailing service featuring its own driverless cars. Meanwhile, numerous competitors worldwide are eager to establish their own 'robotaxi' services. Andrew MacDonald, Uber's president and chief operating officer, expressed optimism about the collaboration with Wayve, emphasizing that it brings the company closer to realizing its goal of making autonomous rides a safe and dependable choice for users globally. Alex Kendall, CEO and co-founder of Wayve, described this partnership as a pivotal moment for autonomous technology in the UK, highlighting their readiness to deploy their AI Driver technology on London’s streets in collaboration with Uber and a global original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The launch of the pilot in the UK has been made possible by the introduction of an 'accelerated framework' for self-driving commercial pilots by the UK’s Department of Transport. Both Uber and Wayve are committed to working closely with government authorities and Transport for London, which oversees transport in the capital, to secure all necessary regulatory approvals before commencing the trials. Wayve, a London-based startup supported by SoftBank, specializes in software that empowers self-driving vehicles to navigate their environments using artificial intelligence. This adaptable platform is designed to function in diverse settings. Notably, the UK government recently enacted the Autonomous Vehicles Act, aiming to facilitate the arrival of self-driving cars on British roads by the year 2026.