London’s first self-driving taxis for hire hit the streets

London has launched its first self-driving taxi service through a partnership between Uber and the tech firm Wayve. While the vehicles are currently operating with human safety drivers, the launch marks a significant step toward autonomous transport in the UK.
Why it matters
This represents a major milestone in the commercial deployment of AI-driven autonomous vehicles in dense urban environments.
Wayve’s self-driving technology is based on an AI learning model rather than the mapping used by some rivals. Photograph: Wayve/Uber Wayve’s self-driving technology is based on an AI learning model rather than the mapping used by some rivals. Photograph: Wayve/Uber Self-driving cars London’s first self-driving taxis for hire hit the streets Wayve robotaxis added to Uber app and will have human in front ready to take over if needed – but only 15 cars licensed
Prefer the Guardian on Google Londoners are now able to hire self-driving taxis for the first time, after rides in Wayve’s autonomous vehicles were added to the Uber app on Thursday.
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