If you just remember one thing from this briefing…
Robotaxi testing just reached a second UK city and a third European country — while Britain's permit office has issued none at all.
Uber's Pony.ai and Verne partnership began mapping Manchester on 14 October; Waymo confirmed Madrid as its next market on 20 October. Both run ahead of any legal route to full driverless service — DVSA has granted zero Automated Passenger Service permits since May. Ask your team: are we tracking operator announcements, or the permits that authorise them?
Priority14 Oct
Uber, Pony.ai and Verne begin robotaxi testing in Manchester
Uber announced on 14 October that Pony.ai's Gen-7 vehicles, run locally by Verne, are mapping Manchester with a safety driver aboard. No fleet size, test area or route is disclosed, and no application to run driverless taxis there has been made.
So what: Manchester becomes the UK's second robotaxi city before London's rollout is fully driverless. Expect the same consent questions to follow, without the capital's scrutiny.
Priority20 Oct
Waymo confirms Madrid as its next European market
Waymo announced on 20 October that Madrid, Alcobendas and Getafe will be its first Spanish cities, under DGT instruction VEH 2025/07. Manual mapping starts at once, then supervised testing; public rides are targeted for 2027. No operator or fleet size is named.
So what: Madrid is Waymo's third European commitment, alongside Munich and London, ahead of any confirmed Berlin plan. Treat 2027 as intent, not a regulatory date.
Priority12 Oct
London Assembly says it is not convinced robotaxis are ready for the capital
The Transport Committee's 12 October report wants TfL, not DVSA alone, able to cap operator fleets, suspend permits within hours and require 24-hour crash reporting. It notes DVSA has issued zero Automated Passenger Service permits in the five months since the regime opened on 15 May.
So what: a cap on fleet size is now a live political ask, not a fringe position. Factor permit suspension and fast crash reporting into any client AV programme now.
Watch17 Oct
Drivers' union protests at Wayve's offices, echoing the Assembly's findings
About twenty ADCU members protested outside Wayve's north London offices on 17 October over jobs, safety and congestion; one driver said he felt like "an old car that's not needed any more." No new poll appeared this fortnight — June's YouGov figure, 42% opposed to 29% in favour, still holds.
So what: organised opposition and regulatory scepticism now point the same way. Measured opinion has not moved since June — weigh that against the week's protest headlines.
