Uber has launched its robotaxi service in London in partnership with British artificial intelligence company Wayve, marking a new phase in the company’s push into autonomous transport.

The launch comes just a day after Uber announced that it was winding down its operations in Nigeria after more than 12 years in the country.

London becomes the second European city where Uber offers autonomous rides, following the launch of its robotaxi service in Zagreb.

Initially, fewer than 20 Wayve-powered Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles will operate on the platform. Passengers using UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Electric may be matched with one of the autonomous vehicles at no additional cost.

A licensed operator will initially remain inside each vehicle to monitor the journey, while fully driverless operations will depend on regulatory approval.

Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility, Sarfraz Maredia, said the London launch would help build confidence among consumers and government authorities in autonomous driving technology.

British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the development as a major milestone for London’s transport system, saying it would give passengers more choice.

Wayve’s AI Driver is designed to learn from experience and adapt to different roads, vehicles, weather conditions and cities.

Wayve CEO and co-founder Alex Kendall said London was an ideal location for the company’s first public deployment because of the complexity of its driving environment.

Uber partnered with Wayve in 2024 and invested in the British technology company as part of plans to deploy its autonomous vehicles across multiple markets.

The London rollout highlights Uber’s growing focus on autonomous mobility as it explores new technologies for the future of transportation.