Uber has begun a robotaxi trial in Manchester as it works toward bringing self-driving cars to UK cities, with the vehicles running on technology from its partner firms Pony and Verne.

Mapping the streets, driver at the wheel

For now, the trial is confined to groundwork: the cars are mapping the streets of the city in north-west England with a safety driver behind the wheel and no passengers on board. The vehicles are operating under government licence through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Department for Transport.

Both partners confirmed the work publicly:

• •Verne said on social media it had "started our autonomous vehicle testing in Manchester".
• •Pony said on social media there were "plans to bring robotaxis to the city" and that testing was under way.

Uber said it was "excited to take this first step toward making this technology accessible to people across the UK".

From Zagreb to the UK

Manchester marks the latest move in Uber's wider autonomous push. With Pony and Verne, the company recently launched Europe's first autonomous taxi service in Zagreb, Croatia. Limited passenger services also started last month in London, with a safety driver in the front seat of cars supplied by Wayve under Transport for London's private hire licensing rules.

Uber expects to offer robotaxi trips in as many as 15 cities worldwide by the end of 2026, mainly in the US and the Middle East.

Drivers and London politicians push back

Opposition from Uber drivers, their unions and the capital's politicians to the rollout of robotaxis is mounting.

• •The GMB and ADCU unions said thousands of drivers' jobs will be lost and have called for help for those affected.
• •A critical report from the London assembly's transport committee this week called for the government to devolve authority over autonomous taxi services.
• •The report raised fears over the impact on public transport and congestion, as well as safeguarding and accessibility for disabled passengers.

The committee's report said there was "considerable uncertainty about many of the claimed benefits of autonomous passenger vehicles".

No passenger application yet in Manchester

Transport for Greater Manchester said no applications have been made to operate driverless taxis in Greater Manchester, though it is aware of potential interest from companies.

A TfGM spokesperson said it wanted the city's taxis to be the safest in the country and that new technologies need to be introduced responsibly, safely and with real thought about what it means for residents.

"Safety will always be our top priority, and we will need strong assurances that no vehicles will operate on our roads that pose any risk", TfGM said.

There has been no official application to launch passenger services in Manchester so far.