Zoe Kleinman became the first British journalist to travel as a customer in a self-driving Uber this week. Londoners can now hail the UK's first robotaxis, as Uber has launched a self-driving minicab service. Initially, the service includes 15 autonomous vehicles licensed to operate in the city, each requiring a human safety driver ready to take control if necessary. Uber reported that over 100,000 London-based customers expressed interest in using a self-driving taxi, despite previous incidents of driverless rides malfunctioning in other cities.
During her ride, Kleinman noted that the experience was mostly smooth, although the safety driver intervened once. The fare for a robotaxi ride will match that of standard UberX, Uber Electric, or Uber Comfort journeys, with upfront fares displayed in the app. The option to select a self-driving ride will only appear after a journey has been booked and if a vehicle is available nearby.
Sarfraz Maredia, Uber's global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, stated that the company plans to gradually phase in more autonomous vehicles over several years, while still allowing consumers to choose between human and autonomous rides. The vehicles in Uber's fleet are Ford Mustang electric cars equipped with Wayve's driverless technology, which utilizes AI to analyze real-time data from sensors.
Wayve's CEO Alex Kendall described the development of autonomous driving technology as a significant challenge, likening it to a modern-day space race. He emphasized the importance of creating a system that can operate effectively in complex urban environments like London.
Kleinman's ride included a safety briefing, and she experienced the vehicle navigating through busy streets without incident, even successfully responding to a cyclist's signal at a roundabout. However, the safety driver had to take control when a van's back doors unexpectedly swung open. Wayve later confirmed that the driver made the decision to intervene, although they expressed confidence in their AI system's capabilities.
The UK government and industry had previously suggested that fully driverless cars could be available for hire in London by the end of 2026, but this timeline now appears uncertain. The Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) are overseeing the regulatory process, which has faced criticism for its slow pace. A DfT spokesperson indicated that a framework for self-driving cars is being developed, aiming for implementation by 2027, but no specific date was provided.
TfL's director of transport strategy and policy, Christina Calderator, stated that they are not delaying decisions but are focused on ensuring safety. David McMullen, a senior organizer for the GMB trade union, emphasized the need for caution in the rollout of driverless cars to avoid significant social and economic disruption. He called for a plan to protect drivers before advancing to driverless services.
Waymo, another autonomous vehicle company, has been mapping London's streets with its cars, which currently have safety drivers but are not yet available for public use. Experts have raised concerns about safety challenges that regulators must address, particularly regarding how self-driving vehicles will respond to emergency situations in crowded urban settings.