London authorities grant minicab licences to a fleet of self-driving “robotaxis” operated by Fleet of London, according to reports. The move allows the vehicles to operate under London’s private hire minicab framework as they continue trial and rollout plans for autonomous driving services. Multiple outlets describe the licensing as a milestone for efforts to introduce self-driving taxis to the city, with some industry commentary highlighting increased regulatory approval as part of the pathway toward wider passenger service.
The reports frame the decision as enabling the company’s vehicles to be used as minicabs rather than limited test operations, although the exact geographic coverage, scale of deployment, and service timelines are not detailed in the provided excerpts. Overall, the coverage indicates that regulators are expanding the conditions under which autonomous vehicles can operate in London, subject to the minicab licensing regime. The announcement is presented as a step forward in bringing robotaxi services closer to public availability while meeting legal and safety requirements associated with private hire transport.
