The rise of Robotaxis in London
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are vehicles that can largely drive themselves without human input, combining digital data transmission and automation technologies to make driving decisions.[1] AVs which transport passengers via ride-hailing are referred to as ‘autonomous passenger vehicles’ (more commonly known as ‘driverless taxis’ or ‘robotaxis’).
Although autonomous passenger vehicles have not been rolled out on a commercial basis in the UK, several companies, including Uber, Lyft and UK company Wayve, are seeking to obtain regulatory approval to transport passengers in AVs in London as soon as this year.[2]
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Transport Committee will begin its investigation into how autonomous passenger vehicles may work in practice and how they could impact jobs, licensing, regulation, road safety, congestion, cyber security and Londoners’ transport choices.
The guests are:
- Thomas Ableman, Host of the ‘Freewheeling’ Podcast and former Director for Strategy and Innovation at Transport for London
- Prof Jack Stilgoe, Professor of Science and Technology Policy, UCL
- Prof Glenn Lyons, Mott MacDonald Professor of Future Mobility, UWE Bristol
- Dr Nick Reed, Founder, Reed Mobility and member of DfT Science Advisory Council
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 9 June at 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes for editors:
- Caltrans, Connected and Automated Vehicles [accessed 28 April 2026]
- See for example: BBC News, Uber and Lyft announce plans to trial Chinese robotaxis in UK in 2026, 22 December 2025 and Wayve, Wayve and Uber Partner to Launch L4 Autonomy Trials in the UK, 10 June 2025
- Read the agenda in full
- Caroline Russell AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, is available for interview
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor
- Find out more about the work of the Transport Committee
For more details, please contact Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 or at [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.