Londoners are able to hail the UK’s first robotaxis as Uber today becomes the first company to launch a self-driving minicab.
Initially, it only has 15 autonomous vehicles with a licence to operate in the city, and each one must have a human safety driver behind the wheel ready to take control if anything goes wrong.
Uber said it surveyed London-based customers via the app and more than 100,000 said they would choose a self-driving taxi if one was available, despite incidents of driverless rides malfunctioning in US cities where they already operate.
At the moment the UK fare for a robotaxi ride will be the same fare as a standard UberX, Uber Electric, or Uber Comfort journey, with upfront fares shown in the app.
Taking a self-driving ride will only appear as an option in the app after the journey has been booked, and if one of its cars is available nearby.