Uber says it is fully prepared to roll out driverless taxis in the UK, but regulatory approval may take longer than initially expected, with the government now pushing back the launch of fully autonomous vehicles to late 2027.
The ride-hailing giant, which already operates robotaxi services in the United States, China, the UAE, and Singapore, is partnering with 18 self-driving technology firms, including UK-based Wayve, to bring the service to British roads.
“We’re ready to launch robotaxis in the UK as soon as the regulatory environment is ready for us,” said Andrew Macdonald, Uber’s Senior Vice President of Mobility, during a demonstration ride through central London in a self-driving car powered by Wayve’s technology.
Previously, the UK government forecast that autonomous vehicles would be on the roads by 2026. However, the Department for Transport has now revised that timeline, stating, “We are working quickly and will implement self-driving vehicle legislation in the second half of 2027.” The department also said it is exploring short-term trials and pilot programs to build a supportive framework for the emerging industry.
The autonomous ride featured a Ford Mach-e equipped with a suite of cameras, radar, and AI software capable of responding to complex traffic scenarios in real time. A safety driver was on board but never had to intervene. The technology successfully navigated busy London streets, responding to pedestrians, parked cars, delivery bikes, and traffic signals.
Despite Uber’s enthusiasm, public confidence remains a challenge. A 2024 YouGov poll found that 37% of Britons would feel “very unsafe” riding in a car without a driver. Macdonald believes this skepticism will fade with experience. “That nervousness becomes the new normal,” he said.
Safety concerns remain prominent. While studies suggest autonomous vehicles may be less accident-prone than human drivers, high-profile incidents—including a robotaxi circling an airport car park with a trapped passenger in Arizona—have highlighted the technology’s potential pitfalls.
There are also unresolved legal and logistical issues in the UK around insurance, liability, and data access in the event of an accident. Tom Leggett of Thatcham Research emphasized that any rollout must be “safety-led” and ensure that key data is accessible to investigators and insurers.
Meanwhile, labour unions have raised alarms over the social impact of automation. GMB’s Andy Prendergast warned that driverless taxis could result in job losses and must be introduced with caution.
Still, the UK government sees opportunity. It estimates a future autonomous vehicle industry could be worth £42 billion and create 38,000 jobs by 2035.
