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First robo-taxis launched by Uber in London trial.

Uber has become the first company to launch a self-driving taxi service in London, giving customers the option to book a robo-taxi through its app.

The initial fleet is only fifteen licensed autonomous vehicles. Each car still carries a human safety driver who can take control if required.

Prior to the launch, Uber carried out market research and found there was significant interest in self-driving journey. Fares for a robotaxi ride currently match the price of a standard human-driven trip, and the option only appears in the app when a suitable vehicle is nearby.

The technology powering the vehicles was developed by Wayve, a British firm. This represents a significant innovation in transport, moving away from traditional taxi operations towards a more automated business model.

The cars use artificial intelligence to interpret real-time data from on-board sensors, allowing them to make their own decisions as road conditions change.

Uber plans a gradual rollout over several years rather than an immediate switch away from human drivers. It faces growing competition, as rival firms including Google's Waymo and China's Baidu are developing similar autonomous services for the UK market.

Government regulation is shaping how quickly the service can grow. The Department for Transport and Transport for London have insisted on thorough safety testing and local consultation.

Trade unions, an important stakeholder group representing professional drivers, have also raised concerns. They warn of the potential impact of the technology on jobs and calling for stronger protections for taxi drivers and other workers as the service expands.