The town is the second within the UK, after London, the place the agency has introduced plans to roll out autonomous autos.
The app-based taxi agency mentioned it has partnered with know-how companies Verne and Pony.ai to pilot self-driving automobiles in Manchester, though a launch date has not but been confirmed.
Verne shared an replace concerning the plans, saying that it has began testing robotaxis in Manchester, which it mentioned led to a “few curious seems” from individuals watching on.
Uber mentioned in a press release shared on-line: “In the present day, we’re asserting that we’re partnering with Verne and Pony.ai to pilot autonomous autos in Manchester.
“Constructing on our service collectively in Zagreb, Gen-7 Robotaxis at the moment are testing in Manchester.
“We’re excited to take this primary step towards making this know-how accessible to individuals throughout the UK.”
It launched self-driving automobiles on the Uber app in Zagreb, Croatia, in August 2026, marking the primary time riders in Europe may guide a self-driving automobile with the agency.
Its autonomous autos in London launched initially of September this 12 months.
If the pilot in Manchester goes nicely, it may at some point result in individuals getting across the metropolis in technology-driven automobiles.
Uber’s announcement comes at a time when Manchester is going through main strain on a few of its roads by automobile site visitors, with transport bosses within the metropolis pushing forward with plans to get extra individuals travelling on public transport or by lively journey, equivalent to strolling or biking.
Additional particulars of Uber’s plans for self-driving automobiles in Manchester are set to be introduced in future, the corporate mentioned.
It added that it hopes to be operating autonomous automobile journeys in as much as 15 cities world wide by the tip of 2026, cut up between locations in the US and elsewhere.
Uber at the moment affords autonomous autos on its platform in Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Dubai, Las Vegas, London, Riyadh, and Zagreb.
A Transport for Higher Manchester spokesperson mentioned: “We would like Higher Manchester’s taxis to be the most secure within the nation.
That’s why we’ve obtained behind our trusted native commerce – main the decision to ban out-of-area licensing in England and launching multi-million-pound help funds to assist drivers improve their autos.
“New applied sciences play an more and more necessary position within the development of our metropolis area.
However they must be launched responsibly, safely and with actual thought of what it means for our residents.
“It’s the Authorities, not Higher Manchester, that offers autonomous automobile corporations permission to function within the UK.
“Though no purposes have been made to function driverless taxis in Higher Manchester, we’re conscious of potential curiosity from corporations to take action.
Security will at all times be our high precedence, and we’ll want sturdy assurances that no autos will function on our roads that pose any danger to residents.”