Uber has opened an interest list for customers in the United Kingdom who want to be among the first to use robotaxis when the service launches in London later this year.

The ride-hailing company is partnering with Wayve, an autonomous vehicle technology company, to provide the self-driving cars for the service. Customers who join the interest list will have increased chances of being matched with a Wayve robotaxi when the service becomes available.

The London rollout represents a significant milestone for Uber, as the UK capital is one of the company's largest markets globally. The launch will serve as an early test of autonomous vehicle technology in a major metropolitan area with complex traffic patterns and regulatory requirements.

The robotaxi service is expected to go live sometime later in 2024, though Uber has not provided a specific launch date. The company has been expanding its autonomous vehicle partnerships as part of its broader strategy to integrate self-driving technology into its platform.

London's dense urban environment and established ride-hailing market make it a strategic location for testing commercial robotaxi operations. The success of this deployment could influence similar rollouts in other major cities where Uber operates.