The first UK robotaxi services began in London in September, with Wayve supplying vehicles through Uber. Uber says more than 100,000 people in London are on its waitlist. But the rollout is facing a growing backlash from drivers and the capital's politicians.
Florentina Ghiuzan, an Uber driver from Essex, said she was shocked that TfL approved the service so soon. "I knew change would come. But I thought it would come with a solution for us."
Drivers will protest this weekend outside Wayve's headquarters and depot, in what the Guardian describes as the latest clash between unions and global tech companies. Driverless car trials expanded to Manchester this week, and fears are growing that hundreds of thousands of driving jobs could be lost.
Uber has announced plans to deploy 100,000 Nvidia robotaxis worldwide starting next year, and senior executives have spoken of all new cars being autonomous by 2040. In San Francisco, Waymo's fully autonomous cars already handle more than a quarter of rides.
The London Assembly's transport committee said there was "considerable uncertainty around many of the claimed benefits of autonomous passenger vehicles". It raised concerns about impacts on public transport and congestion, as well as safeguarding and accessibility for disabled passengers. The committee wants the government to devolve authority over autonomous taxi services to TfL.
Committee chair Caroline Russell said London should not simply accept operators' proposals. "London should be looking at the transport problems it is trying to solve and then considering what solutions this technology could provide."
Mayor Sadiq Khan and TfL bosses have expressed unease, and TfL is understood to see little benefit in adding robotaxis to its crowded streets. For the companies, London offers one of the world's largest private hire markets and a European foothold, while presenting a difficult test of narrow, twisting streets with no jaywalking rules to give cars priority.