Uber and Pony.ai plan London robotaxi tests

Uber and Pony.ai plan to begin road tests of Pony.ai’s Gen7 robotaxis in London within weeks, a step toward eventually making the vehicles available through Uber’s ride-hailing platform. Pony.ai announced the plan on October 8, saying it would work with Uber and local officials as the trial preparations progress. The companies have not announced how many vehicles will be tested, who will own or operate the London fleet, or when a commercial service might begin. The planned tests are not a launch of passenger service; any eventual availability through Uber’s network remains a later aim. The London plan builds on an expanded European partnership between Uber and Pony.ai. The companies have said they aim to deploy more than 2,000 robotaxis across five European cities. Zagreb, Croatia, is already operating as their first European location, while London remains at the testing-plan stage. In Zagreb, the partners’ service operates with safety drivers, according to the companies’ earlier descriptions. Uber’s broader target is to offer autonomous rides in as many as 15 cities worldwide by the end of 2026.