Slashdot has reported:

Uber has started testing autonomous vehicles on Manchester streets as it explores bringing robotaxis to cities across the United Kingdom. The trial uses technology from partner companies Pony and Verne, which recently joined Uber to launch Europe’s first autonomous taxi service in Zagreb, Croatia. The cars are mapping streets in north-west England with safety drivers at the wheel and no passengers aboard.

Uber said it was “excited to take this first step toward making this technology accessible to people across the UK.” Verne said in social media posts that it had “started our autonomous vehicle testing in Manchester,” while Pony said there were “plans to bring robotaxis to the city” and that testing was under way.

The next steps for the Manchester trial are unclear. No official application to begin passenger services in the city has been made. In London, limited passenger services began last month using cars supplied by Wayve, with safety drivers in front seats under Transport for London licensing rules for private hire vehicles.

Opposition to robotaxi expansion is growing among Uber drivers, their unions and politicians in the capital. The GMB and ADCU unions have each said thousands of drivers’ jobs will be lost and have called for assistance for those affected.

A report issued this week by the London Assembly’s transport committee called on the government to devolve authority over autonomous taxi services. The committee said there was “considerable uncertainty about many of the claimed benefits of autonomous passenger vehicles” and raised concerns about effects on public transport and congestion, as well as safeguarding and accessibility for disabled passengers.