Uber is set to introduce self-driving taxis in London next year as England begins trials for driverless services. The ride-hailing firm, along with the UK government, announced the plan on Tuesday, marking a significant step towards autonomous mobility in one of the world’s busiest urban environments.
Under Uber’s pilot scheme, the initial rollout will feature human drivers in the front seat, ready to take control if needed. However, as the trials progress, the service will transition to fully autonomous taxis, eliminating the need for a human presence altogether. The UK government’s latest announcement allows companies like Uber to trial commercial driverless services, including taxis and bus-like transport options for the first time in the country.
Uber CEO Andrew Macdonald acknowledged the complexity of London’s roads, describing them as “ one of the world’s busiest and most complex urban environments.” Despite the challenges, he emphasized Uber’s commitment to making autonomous transport a safe and reliable option for riders everywhere.
Members of the public will be able to book driverless rides via the Uber app starting in spring 2026, ahead of a wider rollout when the Automated Vehicles Act comes into effect in late 2027. The UK government believes that self-driving technology could create 38000 jobs and add £42 billion ( $57 billion) to the economy by 2025, while also improving road safety.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated, “ The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology.” Technology Secretary Peter Kyle echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of accelerating AI-driven transport solutions.
Driverless vehicle trials have been underway in the UK since January 2015, with British companies Wayve and Oxa leading the breakthroughs in autonomous technology. Wayve CEO Alex Kendall highlighted the importance of early pilots in building public trust, stating that these trials will help unlock new jobs, services, and markets.
The forthcoming legislation will require self-driving vehicles to achieve a level of safety at least as high as competent and careful human drivers. The government argues that autonomous vehicles can reduce accidents by reacting faster than human drivers and learning from real-world incidents.
While the UK is gearing up for its first commercial driverless taxi trials, similar services are already operational in the United States and China. In Wuhan, China, a fleet of over 500 driverless taxis can be hailed via an app in designated areas. Meanwhile, San Francisco and Austin have seen the rise of autonomous ride-hailing services, through challenges remain in integrating them into dense urban environments.
Uber’s driverless taxi trials in London mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of ride-hailing. While the technology promises efficiency, safety, and economic growth, concerns remain about trust, employment impacts, and the ability of autonomous vehicles to navigate London’s unpredictable streets.
