Wayve, a London-based autonomous vehicle startup backed by Uber and SoftBank, is set to begin testing its “Tesla-like” self-learning automated driving software in San Francisco and the Bay Area. This marks the company’s first on-road trials outside the UK, signifying a significant step in its expansion efforts.
To facilitate this U.S. expansion, Wayve has established a new office in Sunnyvale, California. The startup aims to enhance its AI development, allowing vehicles to interact with and learn from human behavior in real-world environments. This initiative is designed to improve the safety of autonomous vehicles, contributing to safer roads for all users.
The testing program will focus on Wayve’s self-learning autonomous driving system, akin to Tesla’s technology, to bolster driving safety. The company intends to develop AI software that enables various driving assistance and automation features, which it plans to sell to automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). However, no partnerships have been disclosed at this time. Initially, human test drivers will operate a small fleet of Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles, driving hands-free around the Bay Area, with plans to progressively advance to more complex autonomous driving tests.
“We are now testing our AI software in real-world environments across two continents,” said Wayve CEO Alex Kendall in a statement. “San Francisco’s unique driving conditions offer rich data insights that will be crucial in further developing a global AI platform for automotive customers.”
Founded in 2017, Wayve has been conducting trials on public roads in the UK since 2018. In May, the company secured $1.05 billion in its Series C funding round, led by SoftBank, with participation from Microsoft and Nvidia, marking the largest AI fundraising effort in the UK to date, according to TechCrunch. Uber also joined this funding round, although the specifics of its investment were not disclosed. Prior to this, Wayve raised $200 million in its Series B round in 2022 and $20 million in Series A funding in 2019.
In August, Wayve announced that its autonomous vehicles are expected to integrate into Uber’s network in various markets worldwide. “Launching our U.S. testing program in California deepens our collaboration with key partners like Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Uber,” said Kaity Fisher, Wayve’s vice president of operations and commercial. “Their support in cloud computing, silicon, and mobility services will accelerate the creation of a global ecosystem that will bring our AI-driving technology to automotive partners.”
San Francisco has become a prominent hub for autonomous driving, with vehicles from GM-owned Cruise and Google-backed Waymo already navigating its streets. Reports indicate that Tesla has also been testing a fleet of autonomous robotaxis in the Bay Area in recent months.
