Uber launches UK's first robotaxis with a driver - here's what it's like to ride in one

This week, Uber launched the UK's inaugural robotaxi service, featuring a human safety driver. Zoe Kleinman became the first British journalist to experience a ride as a customer in one of these self-driving Ubers.

London residents can now hail the UK's first robotaxis, as Uber introduces its self-driving minicab service. Initially, the fleet comprises 15 autonomous vehicles licensed to operate in the city. Each vehicle is mandated to have a human safety driver present, ready to assume control if any issues arise.

Uber reported that a survey of over 100,000 London-based customers via its app indicated a preference for self-driving taxis if available, despite previous malfunctions of driverless rides in US cities where they are already operational. Kleinman's experience, as the first UK journalist to hail one, was largely smooth, though the safety driver did intervene once.

Currently, the fare for a robotaxi ride in the UK matches that of a standard UberX, Uber Electric, or Uber Comfort journey, with upfront pricing displayed in the app. The option for a self-driving ride will only appear in the app after a journey has been booked and if an autonomous vehicle is available nearby.

Sarfraz Maredia, Uber's global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, stated that the plan is to gradually introduce these vehicles over several years. He emphasized, "We always want consumers to be able to request a human ride or an autonomous vehicle, and because the market's growing, we expect that there will be human drivers on Uber London for a long time to come."

The current small fleet of Uber's robotaxis consists of Ford Mustang electric vehicles equipped with Wayve's driverless car technology. This UK tech firm's system utilizes AI to analyze real-time data from sensors located on the vehicle's roof bar and other areas. The vehicles are not pre-programmed; their actions are determined dynamically based on current conditions.

Competition in the UK's autonomous vehicle market is intense, with Google's Waymo and Chinese tech giant Baidu also aiming to launch services. Alex Kendall, Wayve's chief executive, likened the development of this technology to "the space race for our generation," acknowledging the "really hard problems to solve" along the way. He added, "What we've done over time is pioneer a completely new approach to autonomous driving, making it possible to bring this to a busy and complex city like London and scale it globally."

Kleinman's experience began after hailing a self-driving Uber via the app. Following a 30-second safety briefing from the safety driver, the journey commenced through central London's busy streets. For several minutes, the vehicle navigated traffic without incident, passing a Brexit demonstration near parliament and successfully handling traffic lights and roadworks. At a mini-roundabout, the car complied when a cyclist paused and gestured for it to proceed.

However, the safety driver did intervene at one point. As the car was pulling away, the back doors of a van parked on a narrow side road appeared to swing open. The car braked sharply, an internal alarm sounded, and the driver took control. Wayve later clarified that the intervention was the driver's decision, and they were confident their AI system would have managed the situation. This brief incident highlighted the cautious approach of UK regulators, despite the industry's rapid advancements.

Earlier this year, the government and industry had suggested that fully driverless hire cars could be available in London by the end of 2026, but this timeline now appears unlikely. The Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) are responsible for oversight and have faced criticism for their slow pace. A DfT spokesperson indicated that the department is working towards a framework for self-driving cars to be on roads by 2027, without specifying a date. The department stated, "These services will be introduced carefully, subject to rigorous safety testing and regulatory approval and will require local consent which can consider the potential impacts on local roads, jobs and communities."

Christina Calderator, director of transport strategy and policy at TfL, asserted that they are "not holding up any decision" but are "taking time to get it right." She emphasized, "This is something that's new, it's coming to London - we need to make sure it's safe."

David McMullen, senior organiser for the GMB trade union, urged caution with the rollout of driverless cars, warning of "unprecedented levels of social and economic disruption" otherwise. He called on TfL and the government to develop a plan that "protects drivers," stating that it is "premature" to move to driverless services until such a plan is in place.

While Waymo, Google's autonomous car company, has been mapping London's streets for several months with cars containing safety drivers and staff, these are not yet available to the public. Waymo has stated it does not intend to launch a service that includes a human at the wheel.

Experts highlight numerous safety challenges for regulators to address regarding self-driving cars. Prof. Siddartha Khastgir, head of safe autonomy at the University of Warwick's Warwick Manufacturing Group, noted, "As human drivers we tend to make a very conscious decision of what we believe is right, and sometimes actually do things that are not perfectly legal - so for example, we tend to mount the kerb to give way to an ambulance." He posed the question, "So, how does a self-driving vehicle respond to emergency services? And what are the nuances of doing that in a crowded place like London?"