Uber robotaxis hit London's streets, but with humans still behind the wheel
Updated on: September 5, 2026 / 10:00 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Uber has deployed 15 autonomous vehicles in London in partnership with Wayve.
- A human supervisor must be present in the vehicle due to current regulations.
- The robotaxis cannot yet make trips to the airport.
- Wayve's AI learns from diverse driving experiences globally, unlike competitors who map cities first.
- Challenges in London include numerous roundabouts, high numbers of cyclists and pedestrians, and frequent roadwork.
- A test ride showed the robotaxi operating autonomously but requiring supervisor intervention in a narrow passageway.
- Uber believes robotaxis will not pose a near-term risk to black cab drivers, as the market is growing.