Demonstrators have called for trials of driverless taxis in London to be stopped, raising concerns about safety, congestion, and the impact on jobs. Approximately 15 people protested outside the King's Cross offices of Wayve, an autonomous vehicle company trialling vehicles in the capital with human safety operators on board.
Abdurzak Hadi, a private hire driver and member of the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU), expressed concern about competing with machines that can operate continuously. He urged Transport for London (TfL) to suspend licences for driverless vehicles until there is greater clarity on the technology's introduction.
Priyanka Khurana from Fare Free London stated that driverless taxis would increase traffic and remove jobs from drivers. James Rossi, a GMB union representative, called for guarantees on safety and job security, suggesting that companies developing the technology should help fund retraining for displaced workers.
Wayve stated it is taking a phased approach to developing the technology with Uber and working with TfL to ensure responsible introduction of future services. Waymo is also trialling the technology on London's roads. TfL affirmed that safety is its top priority and any automated passenger service requires its consent to operate in London.