Uber and China's autonomous vehicle manufacturer Pony.ai are planning to launch a robotaxi service in London. On Thursday, October 8, 2026, the two companies announced that Pony.ai's seventh-generation (Gen-7) robotaxis will be tested on London streets in the coming weeks. A robotaxi is a passenger service in vehicles without a driver, controlled by artificial intelligence (AI); in such services, the vehicle carries the passenger from the pickup point to the destination without a driver's involvement. This plan is being carried out as part of the two companies' expanded partnership to bring driverless cars to Europe.
How the Partnership Began
The partnership between Uber and Pony.ai began in May 2025, when the sides focused mainly on the Middle East market. That was the two companies' first joint step in autonomous transportation. The partnership was later extended to Europe: under the updated plan, a total of 2,000 robotaxis will be deployed across the continent. That figure is the overall deployment volume designated for Europe under the partnership. The first city chosen was Zagreb, the capital of Croatia — it was there that the partnership's first practical result in Europe appeared.
In August 2026, the two companies, together with a third partner — Verne — launched an autonomous ride-hailing service in Zagreb. The scheme works like this: each side has its own role: Pony.ai provides the autonomous driving system and the Arcfox Alpha T5 robotaxis developed together with Chinese automaker BAIC, while Verne buys the fleet itself and runs daily operations. Verne is a startup founded by Rimac Group founder and CEO Mate Rimac. The Zagreb service became the partnership's first practical result in Europe; a third party — Verne — took part.
London became the European city announced after Zagreb, bringing the Uber–Pony.ai partnership to a second point on the continent.
London Trials and the Gen-7 Platform
On October 8, 2026, Pony.ai announced on its official X and LinkedIn pages that it is working with Uber to bring Gen-7 robotaxis to London. The news was posted on both social networks on the day of the announcement. Gen-7 is the company's seventh-generation autonomous driving platform — that is, Pony.ai's newest generation of systems to date; the London service will be built on this platform. The platform's name was also separately noted in the company's official social media announcements. The company called this step the next stage in expanding autonomous mobility in Europe.
"Pony.ai announced in posts on X and LinkedIn that it is working with Uber to bring seventh-generation robotaxis to London, marking the next step in expanding autonomous mobility in Europe." — TechCrunch's take
The exact launch date of the London service has not yet been announced — the companies have only confirmed that trials will begin in the coming weeks. The precise start day of the trials was not disclosed; both companies reported this on October 8. The trial phase is the preparation period before the service's full launch.
Uber's Autonomous Transport Strategy
Uber is entering the autonomous vehicle technology sector through numerous partnerships: in recent years the company has struck deals with more than 30 autonomous vehicle companies. These deals include the partnership with Pony.ai — the sides first worked together in the Middle East, then in Europe.
Uber expects to offer autonomous vehicle rides in up to 15 cities by the end of 2026. These cities are split roughly evenly: half in the US, the rest in international markets. The London plan was announced under this international expansion program. Under the program, London is designated as the next destination in international markets.
About the Companies
Pony.ai is a Chinese autonomous vehicle manufacturer. The company has launched robotaxi services in four Chinese cities and is now expanding into European and Middle Eastern markets, including Qatar. Qatar is noted as one of the directions of Pony.ai's Middle East expansion.
Uber, meanwhile, is an international platform that has struck partnership deals with dozens of companies in the autonomous transport sector in recent years.
Timeline
May 2025 — the Uber–Pony.ai partnership began; the main focus was the Middle East. This was the initial stage of the partnership.
August 2026 — an autonomous ride-hailing service was launched in Zagreb together with Verne. The service combines Pony.ai technology with Verne's operational management.
October 8, 2026 — the London plan was announced; Gen-7 robotaxi trials begin in the coming weeks. The announcement was made by both companies on the same day.
End of 2026 — Uber expects to offer autonomous rides in up to 15 cities. This target is expected to be reached jointly across the US and international markets.
