Uber Begins Self-Driving Robotaxi Trial in Manchester
Uber has started testing autonomous vehicles in Manchester with partners Pony and Verne as it moves toward UK robotaxi services, while unions and London politicians object.
The first self-driving cars are operating using technology from partner firms Pony and Verne. Uber recently launched Europe's first autonomous taxi service with those partners in the Croatian capital, Zagreb. Uber said it was "excited to take this first step toward making this technology accessible to people across the UK," according to the report.
In social media posts, Verne said it had "started our autonomous vehicle testing in Manchester," while Pony said there were "plans to bring robotaxis to the city" and that testing was under way. The tests involve mapping the streets of Manchester, in north-west England, with a safety driver behind the wheel and no passengers. The report said the next steps were unclear, and no official application to launch passenger services in Manchester had been made so far.
Limited passenger services started last month in London, but with a safety driver in the front seat of cars supplied by Wayve under Transport for London's licensing rules for private hire vehicles.
Opposition from Uber drivers, their unions and the capital's politicians to the rollout of robotaxis is mounting. The GMB and ADCU unions have both said thousands of drivers' jobs will be lost and have called for help for those affected. A critical report from the London Assembly's transport committee this week called for the government to devolve authority over autonomous taxi services. It said there was "considerable uncertainty about many of the claimed benefits of autonomous passenger vehicles," and fears over the impact on public transport and congestion, as well as safeguarding and accessibility for disabled passengers.