Uber has launched the UK's first robotaxi service, deploying self-driving vehicles that still carry a human safety driver as the technology moves from trial to public roads.
The rollout marks a significant milestone for autonomous vehicle adoption in the United Kingdom, where regulatory and public appetite for driverless transport has been cautious compared with parts of the United States and China. Robotaxis have operated in cities such as San Francisco and Phoenix for several years, but the UK market has lagged behind in public deployment.
BBC News reported on the launch and offered first-hand rider accounts of what the experience is like inside one of the vehicles. The cars operate with autonomous driving systems handling navigation and control, while a trained safety driver remains seated behind the wheel, ready to intervene if needed. Uber has not yet moved to a fully driverless model on UK public roads, reflecting both current regulations and a phased approach to building public trust. Passengers riding in the vehicles described the experience as notably smooth, with the system managing speed, lane changes, and stops without direct human input under normal conditions.
The launch positions the UK as an emerging player in the commercial robotaxi market and could accelerate pressure on regulators to clarify rules around fully driverless operation. For Uber, the move represents a step toward reducing dependence on human drivers, which remains one of the company's largest operating costs. Consumer acceptance and incident-free operation in the coming months will likely shape how quickly authorities consider removing the mandatory safety driver requirement.
BBC News published video coverage of the rides, giving viewers a direct look at the in-cabin experience as the UK's robotaxi era gets under way.