UK self-driving made global headlines at London Tech Week 2026, with the news that Uber users in the capital can now specify a preference for a Wayve car (with a safety driver).
In a keynote speech at the event, on 8 June, Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted that Britain is the third largest technology economy in the world.
“Our start-ups have raised close to half of all European investment in tech this year,” he said. “That’s a profound achievement, each one an endorsement of British talent and industry.”
What better example than London-based Wayve partnering with ride-hailing giant Uber for a UK first?
We had an inkling that something significant might be on the cards, having been invited to an “Uber & Wayve VIP Welcome Party” at the rather lovely Bar Arriba, right next to the Olympia exhibition centre, at the close of Day One.
Rumours then began circling that Wayve’s VP of Commercial and Operations, Kaity Fischer, would confirm not only a London launch, but a global rollout.
Wayve on Uber in London
Speaking at the evening do, Andrew Brem, UK General Manager of Uber, confirmed: “As of today you can express your interest in the Uber app – within account settings, trip preferences, choose autonomous vehicles.
“It’s absolutely fantastic. We’re going to be bringing Wayve autonomous vehicles to at least 10 markets globally.”
He then handed over to Fischer, who continued: “Thanks to everybody for coming out. It’s incredible to see so many familiar faces, and so many new faces. We look forward to getting you guys into Wayve vehicles really soon.
“This is a bit of a full circle moment for us at Wayve. We’ve been operating on London streets for nearly a decade now and partnering with Uber for three-plus-years in various capacities.
“Being able to launch in our home market, it’s an incredible moment to get the public to experience our technology, to get your feedback so that we can develop a product that you love and come back to time and time again.
“We’re fortunate that we not only have incredible partners to launch alongside, but also incredible partners in the government, who have helped make this a reality.
“The UK was the first country to have a national-level framework to deploy autonomous vehicles. We now see other countries following this all around the world.
“We’ve got London up first, Tokyo before the end of the year, and 10 more markets in addition to that, in the US, Europe, and maybe more in the UK. Stay tuned.”
Ministerial comment
Fischer then introduced Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood MP. “It’s a real pleasure to join you, especially during London Tech Week,” he said.
“This reflects what the UK does best: bringing together innovators, investors, and policymakers, not just to imagine the future, but to build it.
“From AI and clean energy to advanced mobility, we are shaping technologies that will redefine how we live, work and connect. Automated vehicles are a powerful example of that wider story in action.”
Lightwood then highlighted how, at last year’s London Tech Week, the government had set out plans to enable early deployment of self-driving vehicles from spring 2026.
“I’m very pleased to say that we have delivered on that commitment,” he said. “Technologies that once felt cutting-edge are now becoming part of everyday life. Automated vehicles are no longer a distant prospect, they’re being tested on our roads today.
“I hope we’ll soon see the benefits, not just here in London but across the country. Through these pilots, we’re taking a careful, phased approach, supporting innovation whilst maintaining our unwavering commitment to safety, and building public trust as we go.
“Partnerships are at the heart of this progress. Together, Wayve and Uber are introducing an exciting new way to travel in London, while reinforcing the UK’s position as a hub for innovation across AI and mobility.
“This marks an important step towards safer, more accessible, and more convenient transport, and it’s inspiring to see this technology, developed on UK roads, now scaling globally.”
Safety driver caveat
Yes, it’s exciting, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Back in April, when Verne claimed to have launched Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, we asserted that the presence of an on-board safety driver rather negated that claim.
The same applies here. Fischer promised a “quick transition to remote operation” but wouldn’t confirm whether that would happen this year.
So, what of their main rival, Waymo? Back in October, the Google-backed company promised fully autonomous ride-hailing, with no human behind the wheel, in 2026, using the tagline “Hello London!”
The eagle-eyed among you might have noticed remarkably similar phrasing on the Wayve plinth pictured above: “Well hello London”. Just a coincidence no doubt.
For the record, we at Cars Of The Future prefer Well Well Well by Saint Leonard’s Horses to the song of the same name by John Lennon. Well hello London indeed!
