Uber has said it is ready to launch driverless taxis in the UK immediately — but the UK government has delayed its timeline for approving fully self-driving cars until the second half of 2027.
While limited self-driving features are already allowed on UK roads, human drivers must still remain in control. Fully autonomous vehicles, where no driver is required at all, are not yet legally permitted.
Andrew Macdonald, Uber’s senior vice president of mobility, said the company is fully prepared to operate robotaxis in the UK as soon as regulations allow. Uber is currently working with 18 autonomous vehicle technology partners, including the UK-based AI firm Wayve.
Uber already offers driverless rides in several cities across the United States, China, UAE, and Singapore.
In a demonstration, BBC reporter Zoe Kleinman rode through central London in a Ford Mach-E equipped with Wayve’s self-driving system. The vehicle used radar and seven cameras, and completed the journey without any intervention from the safety driver.
Despite technical progress, public trust remains a challenge. A 2024 YouGov poll showed that 37% of Brits would feel "very unsafe" in a car without a human driver.
Mr. Macdonald acknowledged the concerns but said most riders quickly adapt to the experience.
The UK government says it is still developing legislation and exploring short-term trials and pilots. Officials estimate the self-driving industry could contribute £42 billion to the UK economy and create 38,000 jobs by 2035.
Still, there are questions about insurance, accident liability, and data sharing, which must be addressed before autonomous vehicles can be widely adopted.
Experts like Tom Leggett from Thatcham Research emphasize that safety must come first, and that clear access to incident data will be crucial for insurers and investigators.
Uber’s vision for the future includes cars that operate 20 hours a day, seven days a week — without a driver. But for now, the UK is taking a cautious route to that future.
While Uber and its tech partners may be ready to roll, it seems the UK’s roads won’t be fully open to robotaxis until at least 2027.
