Uber to trial self-driving taxis in London next year
Uber will trial self-driving London taxis in Spring 2026.
The transport firm is teaming up with the UK tech firm Wayve to roll out bookable rides via its app in the British capital.
More self-driving taxis are set to be introduced when Automated Vehicles Act comes into force in late 2027.
The move comes after the UK Labour government recently announced a trial period of self-driving vehicles would take place in Spring 2026.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said 38,000 jobs, £42 billion to the economy, and safer UK roads would be created because of autonomous technology.
In addition, it would improve accessibility for those who cannot or do not wish to drive, as well as transport options in rural areas in the UK.
Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary, said: 'The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology.'
Alex Kendall, a co-founder and the chief executive of Wayve, said the accelerated trials would put the UK in a leading position for fully autonomous cars, adding: 'These early pilots will help build public trust and unlock new jobs, services and markets.'
However, Elly Baker, Labour's transport spokesperson in the London Assembly feared London Black Cab, as well as private taxi drivers could suffer.
She told The Guardian: "Although jobs might be created building and managing driverless cars, existing taxi and private hire drivers shouldn't risk being left behind."
Steve McNamara, the general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, said the move for self-driving taxis is something out of "fantasy land".
He added to the publication: "We're probably going to have flying taxis before we have autonomous ones in London."
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7NEWS
3 hours ago
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Oscar Piastri immediately apologises after ‘pushing the boundaries' in fight for victory against Lando Norris
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Perth Now
5 hours ago
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The Advertiser
12 hours ago
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Police review rapper's Glastonbury anti-Israel comments
British police are examining videos of a band that led chants of "death to the IDF" or Israel Defense Forces at the Glastonbury Festival. Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF" on Saturday. Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence would be assessed by officers "to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation." The Israeli Embassy to the UK said on social media it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival." Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned the band's actions as "appalling". He told Sky News the BBC and festival organisers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions. The government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance. 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Saturday's festival lineup also included Irish-language rap group Kneecap, which gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. The rapper, who was charged under the anglicized version of his name, Liam O'Hanna, is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August. The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, especially since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" and calling on people to kill politicians. On Saturday, band members led the audience in chants of "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was "appropriate" for Kneecap to play Glastonbury. with PA British police are examining videos of a band that led chants of "death to the IDF" or Israel Defense Forces at the Glastonbury Festival. Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF" on Saturday. Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence would be assessed by officers "to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation." The Israeli Embassy to the UK said on social media it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival." Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned the band's actions as "appalling". He told Sky News the BBC and festival organisers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions. The government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance. The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language" during the live stream. Glastonbury is Britain's biggest summer music festival and draws some 200,000 music fans each year to Worthy Farm in southwest England. Almost 4000 acts perform on 120 stages. Festival organisers said on Instagram that Vylan's chants "very much crossed a line." "We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence." "With almost 4000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs," it said. Saturday's festival lineup also included Irish-language rap group Kneecap, which gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. The rapper, who was charged under the anglicized version of his name, Liam O'Hanna, is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August. The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, especially since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" and calling on people to kill politicians. On Saturday, band members led the audience in chants of "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was "appropriate" for Kneecap to play Glastonbury. with PA British police are examining videos of a band that led chants of "death to the IDF" or Israel Defense Forces at the Glastonbury Festival. Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF" on Saturday. Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence would be assessed by officers "to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation." The Israeli Embassy to the UK said on social media it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival." Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned the band's actions as "appalling". He told Sky News the BBC and festival organisers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions. The government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance. The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language" during the live stream. Glastonbury is Britain's biggest summer music festival and draws some 200,000 music fans each year to Worthy Farm in southwest England. Almost 4000 acts perform on 120 stages. Festival organisers said on Instagram that Vylan's chants "very much crossed a line." "We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence." "With almost 4000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs," it said. Saturday's festival lineup also included Irish-language rap group Kneecap, which gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. The rapper, who was charged under the anglicized version of his name, Liam O'Hanna, is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August. The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, especially since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" and calling on people to kill politicians. On Saturday, band members led the audience in chants of "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was "appropriate" for Kneecap to play Glastonbury. with PA British police are examining videos of a band that led chants of "death to the IDF" or Israel Defense Forces at the Glastonbury Festival. Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF" on Saturday. Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence would be assessed by officers "to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation." The Israeli Embassy to the UK said on social media it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival." Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned the band's actions as "appalling". He told Sky News the BBC and festival organisers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions. The government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance. The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language" during the live stream. Glastonbury is Britain's biggest summer music festival and draws some 200,000 music fans each year to Worthy Farm in southwest England. Almost 4000 acts perform on 120 stages. Festival organisers said on Instagram that Vylan's chants "very much crossed a line." "We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence." "With almost 4000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs," it said. Saturday's festival lineup also included Irish-language rap group Kneecap, which gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. The rapper, who was charged under the anglicized version of his name, Liam O'Hanna, is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August. The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, especially since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" and calling on people to kill politicians. On Saturday, band members led the audience in chants of "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was "appropriate" for Kneecap to play Glastonbury. with PA
