Wayve Raises $1.2 Billion for Robotaxi Deployment in London

UK self-driving startup Wayve raised $1.2 billion (up to $1.5B with Uber contingent) in a Series D round backed by Microsoft, NVIDIA, Uber, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis for commercial robotaxi trials in 2026.

Wayve

February 2026

$1.2 billion (Series D)

What Drove This Round?

Wayve's end-to-end AI approach to self-driving doesn't require HD maps, making it more scalable

Uber partnership includes $300M contingent on successful London robotaxi deployment

European autonomous vehicle regulations creating favorable conditions for UK-based testing

Automaker backing (Mercedes, Nissan, Stellantis) validates technology for consumer vehicle integration

Impact Analysis

Wayve's raise positions it as Europe's leading autonomous vehicle company and the primary challenger to Waymo outside the US. The Uber partnership could make London the first European city with commercial robotaxi service. The involvement of three major automakers signals the industry's shift from in-house self-driving programs to partnering with AI-native startups.

Source: TechCrunchView original

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