Uber has begun autonomous vehicle testing in Manchester, extending its UK driverless ambitions beyond London as the ride-hailing company explores the potential for automated passenger services in major British cities.
The initial phase involves vehicles mapping the city’s streets with a safety driver behind the wheel. No passengers are being carried during the testing, which remains at an early stage.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) confirmed that it had received no applications to operate driverless taxis in the city region, underlining the distinction between testing autonomous technology and securing approval to launch a commercial passenger service.
The transport authority acknowledged growing interest in autonomous vehicles but said the technology must be introduced responsibly, with public safety remaining its principal concern.
The Manchester activity follows Uber’s expanding partnerships with autonomous driving technology companies, including Pony.ai and Wayve, as it explores different approaches to bringing driverless vehicles onto UK roads.
As reported by Highways News last week, Uber has added Pony.ai to its London autonomous vehicle plans, alongside UK-based Wayve. Pony.ai is preparing to test its seventh-generation robotaxis in the capital, while Wayve has already begun supervised autonomous Uber rides in London.
Uber and Pony.ai are also partners in Zagreb, Croatia, where autonomous passenger journeys are available through the Uber platform. The companies’ work in Manchester represents a further development in their collaboration, although the local testing does not in itself signal that a passenger service is imminent.
Pony.ai separately confirmed that testing of its Gen-7 robotaxis was under way in Manchester. The company said it intended to work with local stakeholders as its plans developed.
The developments highlight the growing interest among mobility providers in expanding autonomous vehicle operations across the UK. However, any move from supervised testing to passenger-carrying services will depend on the relevant regulatory requirements and approvals.
For Manchester, the immediate focus remains on testing and mapping rather than the introduction of driverless taxis, with no applications to operate such services yet submitted to TfGM.
(Picture: Pony AI)
