Uber Technologies Inc has partnered with AI company Wayve to begin autonomous vehicle testing on public roads in the UK, the two firms announced in a joint statement on Tuesday.
Under their partnership, Uber and Wayve plan to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, vehicle autonomy is categorized into six levels—from Level 0 to Level 5. Level 4 vehicles are highly autonomous but operate within designated areas. In emergencies or system failures, a human driver can still take over control.
Alphabet is already running its Waymo autonomous vehicles in San Francisco, while various other companies, including Tesla with its robotaxi, are developing their own versions.
Uber and Wayve are partnering to pilot autonomous vehicles in the UK, combining Wayve’s AI technology with Uber’s mobility network. This partnership makes the UK Uber’s largest market for autonomous vehicle trials.
The UK’s diverse and complex driving environments, such as London, offer a unique testing ground for autonomous vehicles. Lessons learned from these trials will significantly advance L4 technology, enabling its deployment in cities worldwide.
Wayve and Uber are partnering to bring autonomous vehicles to Uber’s platform using Wayve’s AI tech, with plans to deploy in major European markets.
Wayve, a London-based autonomous driving tech company founded in 2017, has received backing from major investors including SoftBank Group, Nvidia, and Eclipse Ventures.
The partnership between Wayve and Uber marks a significant step towards deploying autonomous vehicles in the UK and beyond, leveraging advanced AI technology for safer and more efficient transportation.
