Uber Pony.ai Robotaxis Set for London Launch
Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle maker Pony.ai plan to launch a robotaxi service in London, expanding their partnership to bring driverless cars to Europe. The two companies announced on Thursday that testing of Pony.ai‘s Gen-7 robotaxis will begin in London in the coming weeks.
The move marks the latest step in Uber’s broader push into autonomous vehicle technology, built through a growing network of partnerships and investments. Uber has struck deals with more than 30 autonomous vehicle companies, including Pony.ai, in recent years as it looks to capture a share of the autonomous delivery and ride-hailing markets.
Uber expects to offer AV trips in as many as 15 cities globally by the end of 2026, roughly split between U.S. and international markets.
How the Uber Pony.ai Robotaxis Partnership Began
Uber and Pony.ai first partnered in May 2025, initially focusing on the Middle East. The relationship has since expanded to Europe, where the companies plan to deploy 2,000 robotaxis, starting with Croatia’s capital, Zagreb.
In August 2026, the companies launched an autonomous ride-hailing service in Zagreb with a third partner, Verne. Under that arrangement:
Pony.ai supplies the autonomous driving system and the Arcfox Alpha T5 robotaxi, developed with Chinese automaker BAIC.
Verne, a startup set up by Rimac Group founder and CEO Mate Rimac, owns and operates the fleet.
Uber provides access to its vast ride-hailing network.
The London service will follow a similar model, although the companies have not said who will own and operate the fleet.
Uber’s Multi-Partner Strategy in London
Pony.ai won’t be Uber’s only robotaxi partner in London. Uber has also partnered with and invested in British self-driving startup Wayve and plans to launch a robotaxi service in the city.
In February 2026, Wayve raised $1.2 billion in a funding round that saw investments from Microsoft, Nvidia, and Uber. The total funding in that round could reach $1.5 billion thanks to an additional $300 million from Uber, contingent on Wayve deploying robotaxis, starting in London.
Uber has pursued this multi-partner strategy elsewhere. In Dubai, for instance, it has struck separate deals with Baidu and WeRide to launch robotaxi services.
Pony.ai‘s Global Expansion Plans
Pony.ai has launched robotaxi services in four Chinese cities and secured partnerships with local transportation authorities as it works to expand into European and Middle Eastern markets, including Qatar.
The company’s Gen-7 robotaxis represent its latest generation of autonomous driving technology, which will now be tested on London’s streets as part of the Uber partnership.
What the Uber Pony.ai Robotaxis Mean for London
The planned London launch signals growing momentum for autonomous ride-hailing in Europe. While the companies have not announced a specific start date for passenger service, the upcoming testing phase marks a critical step toward commercial operations.
For Uber, the London robotaxi plan fits into a wider strategy of partnering with multiple autonomous vehicle companies rather than developing its own technology in-house. This approach allows the company to scale quickly across different markets while sharing the risks and costs of deploying driverless fleets.
For Pony.ai, the London project represents a significant expansion beyond China and the Middle East, positioning the company as a global player in the autonomous vehicle space.
Safety and Regulatory Considerations
Running robotaxis in London means meeting some of the strictest vehicle and safety rules in Europe. The city’s transport authorities require extensive testing and approval before any autonomous vehicle can carry passengers on public roads.
Pony.ai‘s Gen-7 platform is designed to handle complex urban environments, but London’s narrow streets, heavy traffic, and unpredictable weather present unique challenges. The coming weeks of testing will give both companies valuable data on how the system performs in these conditions.
Uber has not yet said how many vehicles will be part of the initial London trial or which areas of the city they will cover.
The Road Ahead for Uber Pony.ai Robotaxis
Testing of Pony.ai‘s Gen-7 robotaxis in London is set to begin in the coming weeks. As Uber works toward offering AV trips in up to 15 cities globally by the end of 2026, the London launch will be one of several key milestones to watch.
Whether the service ultimately follows the Zagreb model — with a third-party fleet operator — remains to be seen. The partnership structure suggests Uber will continue to rely on local partners for fleet ownership and operations while providing the demand through its ride-hailing network.
For riders in London, the prospect of hailing a driverless car through the Uber app is moving closer to reality. For the wider autonomous vehicle industry, the project adds another major city to the growing list of places where robotaxis are being tested and deployed.
