Wayve, a UK-based leader in AI for autonomous driving, has raised $1.2 billion in a Series D investment round, bringing its total funding to $1.5 billion and its valuation to $8.6 billion. The funding round was led by Eclipse, Balderton, and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with significant contributions from Uber, which committed an additional $300 million to support the development of Wayve-powered robotaxis on its network.

Why It Matters

This funding marks one of the largest capital raises for a UK AI startup and signifies a critical step in Wayve’s transition from AI research to commercial deployment. The investment will enable Wayve to launch robotaxi trials with Uber in London starting in 2026, positioning the company to compete in the emerging driverless taxi market under the UK government’s new regulatory framework.

What’s Next

From 2026, consumers will experience Wayve-powered robotaxis through commercial trials, and by 2027, they will be able to purchase passenger vehicles equipped with Wayve’s AI Driver, which will initially offer L2+ ‘hands-off’ capabilities. Wayve plans to license its AI Driver to automakers, allowing for customized driving models tailored to specific vehicles.

The post Wayve Secures $1.2bn Funding to Propel Robotaxi Development appeared first on DG News Sport.