Wayve and Uber have announced plans to launch public road trials of fully autonomous vehicles in London, marking a key phase in the development and testing of Level 4 (L4) autonomy in the UK.
The trials will involve Wayve’s AI-driven technology operating within Uber’s mobility platform, with the aim of assessing autonomous vehicle performance in complex urban environments.
London’s varied road types, traffic conditions, and regulations present a distinct testing ground compared to locations in the United States, where much of the industry’s previous L4 testing has taken place.
The announcement follows the UK Government’s confirmation of a new regulatory framework designed to fast-track commercial self-driving pilots, with trials expected to commence from spring 2026. The Department for Transport and Transport for London will work with the companies to manage approvals and permitting processes.
Wayve’s approach, known as AV2.0, uses an Embodied AI” model that learns to drive through real-world experience. Unlike traditional autonomous systems that rely heavily on high-definition maps and rule-based programming, this system is designed to adapt across different vehicle types and unfamiliar environments.
This phase builds on a multi-year collaboration between Wayve and Uber that began in 2024, aimed at integrating autonomous technology into Uber’s operations.
