Uber brings forward trialling driverless taxis in UK

Uber is set to begin trials of driverless taxis in London as early as next spring, marking a significant step forward in autonomous vehicle technology in the UK. These robotaxis will operate without a human safety driver behind the wheel, relying entirely on advanced artificial intelligence systems to navigate the busy city streets. Uber is collaborating with Wayve, a British AI company that has been testing self-driving cars in London under current laws requiring human oversight. The UK government recently updated its regulations to accelerate the introduction of small autonomous commercial vehicles like buses and taxis, moving the timeline forward from an initial target of 2026 to an earlier date. This change aims to encourage innovation and economic growth by allowing these vehicles to operate sooner than expected. While Uber has not confirmed whether customers will be able to use the driverless taxis during the trial phase, the company plans to integrate them into its app as soon as legislation permits.

The UK Department for Transport estimates that the autonomous vehicle industry could generate 38,000 new jobs and contribute £42 billion to the economy by 2035. However, there are concerns about the social impact of driverless technology, particularly regarding potential job losses for professional drivers. Andy Prendergast, national secretary of the GMB union, has emphasized the need to carefully consider these implications. Uber has already launched a robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, where customers can opt for a driverless ride at no extra cost. These vehicles can operate up to 20 hours a day, seven days a week, demonstrating the efficiency of autonomous technology. Tesla is also preparing to launch a competing service in Austin, highlighting the growing interest in driverless taxis in the US market.

Driverless cars have been tested extensively in countries such as China, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore. Research based on US data suggests that autonomous vehicles may be safer than human drivers, as they tend to be less prone to accidents. Nevertheless, there have been incidents involving robotaxis, including collisions and passengers being trapped inside vehicles. In San Francisco, a driverless taxi service was discontinued after multiple malfunctions. During a recent test ride in London, a Wayve-equipped Ford Mach-e handled complex traffic situations with ease, including congestion, temporary traffic lights, cyclists, and even a pedestrian using crutches. The vehicle was equipped with sensors, radar, and an AI system that controlled its responses in real time, resulting in a cautious but smooth journey. This trial demonstrates the potential for driverless taxis to safely navigate urban environments in the near future.