WMG Professor welcomes Wayve-Uber announcement on autonomous rides
Thursday 3 September 2026
WMG professor welcomes Wayve-Uber announcement on autonomous rides
Expert comment from , Head of Safe Autonomy at 海角社区 Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of 海角社区, following Wayve and Uber鈥檚 launch of the first supervised autonomous rides in the UK.
鈥淚 am really excited by this announcement, as it brings autonomous driving one step closer to reality.
鈥淎s I told the in June, no one should simply arrive in London and deploy autonomous technology. Introducing these systems must be a gradual, carefully managed process that allows operators to understand the city鈥檚 unique operational nuances.
鈥淚 believe we will continue to see a mixed fleet of both human-driven and autonomous vehicles for the foreseeable future, and this gradual rollout is both responsible and realistic.
鈥淭he Wayve-Uber announcement adds a timely and important dimension, giving the public the chance to experience autonomous technology first鈥慼and while allowing operators and policymakers to understand public opinion, preferences and expectations as the technology evolves.
鈥淭hrough our research at WMG, we have clear experimental evidence that first鈥慼and experience with autonomous technology is the most effective way to build trust in it .
鈥淚ntroducing new technology is like exploring the unknown: we can only regulate or refine what we already understand. Meaningful learning ultimately comes from real鈥憌orld deployment. Operating as a supervised service ensures that this learning process, both in navigating London鈥檚 complexity and in understanding people鈥檚 experiences, happens in a safe and controlled manner.
鈥淚 am really looking forward to the insights that emerge from this rollout, both from a technology perspective and in terms of public preferences. This data will form a valuable part of future transport policy and guidance for all stakeholders.鈥�
Find out more about WMG鈥檚 Safe Autonomy research and projects: Safe AutonomyLink opens in a new window