Wayve and Uber have moved a step closer to bringing autonomous rides to London after Transport for London (TfL) granted private hire vehicle licences to a number of Wayve’s electric vehicles.
The licensing of the vehicles completes the ‘triple-lock’ requirement for private hire trips, where the operator, driver and vehicle must all hold licences with the same licensing authority. Trips will take place under the government’s AV trialling code of practice and Uber’s TfL private hire operator licence.
Wayve’s vehicles are designed to operate autonomously and will do the driving, with a trained and TfL licensed private hire driver onboard to oversee the trip and provide support or take over driving if needed.
The cars were inspected to confirm the vehicles meet all of TfL’s policy and safety standards.
In the last eight weeks, more than 100,000 Londoners have signed up for a chance to be matched with a Wayve autonomous ride at launch.
“This licence is an important step towards giving Londoners the chance to experience autonomous driving technology,” says Sarah Gates, VP global affairs and assurance at Wayve.
“The responsible deployment of these vehicles will bring us safer, cleaner and quieter streets, and we’re proud to continue working alongside regulators, communities and the public as we take the next steps towards making autonomous rides a reality in the capital.”
