Sadiq Khan calls for robotaxi cap in London

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for a limit on the number of robotaxis that can operate on the capital's streets. This comes as the UK government is expected to permit fully driverless vehicles to function in London. Khan expressed concerns that politicians have not fully understood the speed of technological advancement, which could lead to job losses and increased traffic.

The Mayor questioned the suitability of current regulations for autonomous cars. His comments followed the unveiling of Chinese robotaxis being tested in London by Freenow by Lyft, a competitor to Uber. In September, Uber began offering limited passenger services using Wayve's self-driving cars, though a safety driver remained present. Freenow by Lyft aims to introduce fully driverless Baidu robotaxis as early as next year, operating under a national licensing framework.

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Concerns over regulation and impact

Companies like Freenow by Lyft, along with Waymo, which operates robotaxis in US cities, are focusing their efforts on London. Khan stated that the city needs the ability to restrict the rollout of this technology. "What we don’t want is a situation where there’s a big bang without proper regulation in place," Khan said. "We’ve got to make sure the regulation is fit for purpose before we have a mass rollout of things like automated vehicles."

He added that the rapid pace of technological change has not been fully grasped by politicians and that an incremental approach is needed for robotaxis and automated vehicles. Khan highlighted that his administration is lobbying the government for Transport for London (TfL) to have greater authority over automated vehicles. Significant unanswered questions remain regarding the impact on air quality, congestion, and the livelihoods of private hire and black-taxi drivers.

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Drivers' unions have organised protests at the London headquarters of Wayve and Waymo, with many Uber drivers expressing anxiety about their future employment. Khan noted the absence of a cap on the current number of private hire vehicles or taxis and stated that these powers have also been sought. "London isn’t San Francisco," he remarked. "We’re a city of almost 10 million, 400 villages, narrow roads, and it’s really important to get this right."

Testing and operational challenges

Under existing regulations for fully autonomous vehicles, TfL can only approve or deny their use within London, without the power to manage or license robotaxi services. This limits the enthusiasm of London's authorities compared to national ministers who are keen to accelerate the adoption of this technology. Freenow by Lyft acknowledged that the UK's national framework for driverless cars is a significant factor. Danny O’Gorman, UK and Ireland general manager for Freenow by Lyft, stated that the framework is "great news for us to really invest in the market." However, he added that "how it’s going to be regulated, once the service is up and running, that’s something that still needs to be ironed out."

O’Gorman confirmed that the company is collaborating closely with TfL and intends to proceed correctly. Approximately 24 autonomous Baidu Apollo Go vehicles are currently being tested in the London borough of Brent. These vehicles feature amenities such as massage seats and rear touchscreens. While the cars operate in fully autonomous mode in cities in China and the UAE, many test journeys in London still require human intervention, particularly when encountering roadworks. O’Gorman noted that a challenge for autonomous vehicles in London is adhering to road rules when many human drivers do not, leading to frequent honking for speed limit compliance.

Freenow by Lyft plans to establish a dedicated depot for autonomous vehicles in the UK. O’Gorman suggested that a substantial number of displaced taxi drivers could find employment in remote operation and servicing roles at such a facility. He also commented on the traditional black cab industry, noting that a significant risk is the age profile of drivers, with two-thirds being over 50 and nearing retirement, coupled with the high cost of vehicles. O’Gorman believes that autonomous vehicles will not immediately compete in this sector and will take considerable time to scale up to numbers that could pose a threat.