Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle maker Pony.ai have announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London, as part of their expanding partnership to bring driverless cars to Europe. The testing of Gen-7 robotaxis in London is set to begin in the coming weeks.

The move is part of Uber's broader strategy to be at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology, with partnerships and investments in over 30 companies over the past few years. By 2026, Uber aims to offer autonomous vehicle trips in as many as 15 cities, globally split roughly between U.S. and international markets.

The London service will follow a similar model to the one launched in Zagreb, where Pony.ai supplies the autonomous driving system, and the Arcfox Alpha T5 robotaxi, developed with Chinese automaker BAIC. Verne, a startup by Mate Rimac, owns and operates the fleet, while Uber provides access to its vast ride-hailing network.

Pony.ai won’t be Uber's sole robotaxi partner in London, as the company has also partnered with and invested in British self-driving startup Wayve, with plans to launch a robotaxi service in the city. Wayve recently raised $1.2 billion in a funding round, including an additional $300 million from Uber, contingent on the deployment of robotaxis starting in London.

Elsewhere, Uber has also pursued a multi-partner approach, with separate deals with Baidu and WeRide in Dubai, and Pony.ai’s expansion into European and Middle Eastern markets, including Qatar, as it continues to build its autonomous vehicle ecosystem.