Uber brings forward trialling driverless taxis in the UK

What's Happening

Uber will bring forward plans to trial driverless taxis in London this year. The company had originally planned to launch the service in 2022, but it will now commence in July of this year. Uber has partnered with the London Transport Museum to use its exhibits to highlight the historic evolution of transport in the city, and to emphasise the future of autonomous mobility.

Why Now?

A reason for the expedited timeline has not been stated, but the acceleration of autonomous vehicle plans is likely influenced by ongoing staffing and safety challenges. The company cited safety as a key motivation for the shift to autonomous vehicles, claiming that driverless Ubers would eventually be safer than those with drivers.

Perception and Liability

Uber has attempted to improve public perception of its services in recent years, but the company still battles concerns related to passenger and pedestrian safety. Trialling autonomous vehicles may exacerbate these challenges without a clear strategy to engage and educate the public. Additionally, shifting blame for accidents or near-misses from human drivers to technology will likely complicate the company's legal and reputational battles.