Uber and Pony.ai to Begin Robotaxi Trials in London

Uber and the Chinese self-driving car maker Pony.ai revealed plans to launch robotaxi testing in London within weeks, marking the latest phase of their European expansion. Their collaboration, which began in May 2025 focusing on the Middle East, now includes a rollout in the UK after a successful launch in Zagreb, Croatia, where Pony.ai supplied the Arcfox Alpha T5 and the autonomous system, while Verne, founded by Rimac Group’s Mate Rimac, operated the fleet and Uber supplied the booking platform.

The London trial will follow a comparable structure, though details on fleet ownership remain undisclosed. Uber’s autonomous strategy also involves a partnership and investment in British startup Wayve, which raised $1.2 billion in early 2026 with backing from Microsoft, Nvidia and Uber itself. Uber aims to offer autonomous rides in as many as 15 cities globally by the close of 2026, split between the United States and international markets. The company pursues a multi-partner approach, with separate agreements in Dubai with Baidu and WeRide, while Pony.ai continues to grow its services across Chinese cities and seeks further expansion in Europe and the Middle East.