Uber launches UK's first robotaxis with a driver - here's what it's like to ride in one
Uber has launched its first autonomous taxi service in London, utilizing Ford electric vehicles equipped with Wayve's AI technology. While the cars are self-driving, they currently require a human safety driver to be present at all times.
Why it matters
This marks a significant milestone for autonomous vehicle adoption in the UK, signaling a shift toward integrating AI-driven transport into major urban public transit systems.
Image caption, Zoe Kleinman became the first British journalist to travel as a customer in a self-driving Uber this week
Londoners are able to hail the UK's first robotaxis - as Uber today becomes the first company to launch a self-driving minicab.
Initially, it only has 15 autonomous vehicles with a licence to operate in the city, and each one must have a human safety driver behind the wheel ready to take control if anything goes wrong.
Uber said it surveyed London-based customers via the app and more than 100,000 said they would choose a self-driving taxi if one was available, despite incidents of driverless rides malfunctioning in US cities where they already operate.
As I found out when I became the first UK journalist to hail one, it was mostly smooth but the safety driver did intervene on one occasion.
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