London could see a commercial autonomous taxi service launch as early as this summer.
Uber, a US-based transportation firm that pioneered a ride-hailing smartphone app connecting passengers directly with nearby drivers, has launched a ‘list of interest’ on its app. Those users who sign up could be among the first to ride in London’s first Wayve robotaxis.
These rides will initially take place with a safety driver onboard and will start as soon as regulators give the go-ahead for launch.
“We’re hopeful to be launching in the next couple of months. We’re ready to go. We’re just waiting for a couple of last approvals,” Kaity Fischer, Wayve’s vice-president of commercial and operations, told European news agency AFP.
“This is the first time the general public will be able to hail an autonomous vehicle in the UK. We can’t wait to get the public into our vehicles to experience Wayve technology first hand,” she added.
According to Wayve, Uber users who hail one of its robotaxis will pay the same...