伦敦交通局已批准Uber与自动驾驶技术公司Wayve获得伦敦首批网约车牌照，获准在伦敦街道上提供自动驾驶出租车服务[1]。该批准涵盖15个配备Wayve自动驾驶软件的福特Mustang Mach-E车辆的私家车牌照[1]。两家公司计划在今年夏季晚些时候开始试运营[1]，目前已有超过10万伦敦人在等待名单上[1]。
在初期阶段，这些自动驾驶出租车运营时需要配备持证安全驾驶员在驾驶座位上[1]。完全无人驾驶运营则需要通过政府部门驾驶员和车辆标准局(Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency)的自动客运服务许可证流程[1]。Wayve自2018年以来一直在伦敦测试该技术[1]。
Uber and autonomous vehicle company Wayve have obtained London's first robotaxi operating licenses, clearing the way for driverless taxi services to take to the city's streets. [1] Transport for London has approved 15 private hire vehicle licenses for Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with Wayve's autonomous driving software. [1] The companies plan to commence trial operations later this summer, with over 100,000 Londoners already on waiting lists for the service. [1]
During the initial phase, the vehicles will require licensed safety drivers seated behind the wheel to supervise operations. [1] Full autonomous operation without human drivers will require approval through a separate government licensing process administered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. [1] Wayve has been testing its technology on London streets since 2018, providing a foundation for this commercial deployment. [1] Uber has pledged to invest more than $10 billion in autonomous vehicle technology over the coming years. [1]