# Wayve

Type: Company

Source: AI Intelligence Brief — https://getaibrief.com/entity/wayve
Canonical HTML page: https://getaibrief.com/entity/wayve

## Timeline

- **2027-03-31**: Commercial Target — Nissan's target date for the full commercial launch of autonomous services in Japan.
- **2026-07-20**: Burnham appoints Narayan as first AI cabinet minister — New PM Andy Burnham names Narayan AI minister with cabinet rank, dissolves DSIT, and merges it with Business and Trade under Jonathan Reynolds.
- **2026-06-01**: Trial Commencement — Expected start of initial testing phases in designated Tokyo districts with safety drivers.
- **2026-03-12**: Tokyo Partnership Announced — Uber, Nissan, and Wayve officially unveil their robotaxi trial plans for Tokyo.
- **2026-02-25T04:09:43Z**: UK AV Act — The Automated Vehicles Act enters force, providing the legal framework for AV deployment in Britain.
- **2026-02-25T04:09:43Z**: London Robotaxis — Wayve and Uber begin commercial trials of driverless taxi services in the UK capital.
- **2026-02-25T04:09:43Z**: Automotive Integration — Target date for Wayve's software to be deployed in mass-market consumer vehicles.
- **2025-09**: Narayan appointed junior AI minister — Under PM Keir Starmer, Kanishka Narayan was appointed minister for AI and online safety, serving under tech secretary Liz Kendall.
- **2024-05-07**: Wayve Series C Funding — Wayve announces a $1.2B funding round led by SoftBank to scale its Embodied AI.
- **2020-12-01**: Uber Pivots Strategy — Uber sells its ATG self-driving unit to Aurora, shifting from developer to platform provider.
- **2017**: Company Founded — Wayve is established in London to pioneer AI-embedded autonomous driving.

## Recent coverage (3 stories)

### Burnham Names Kanishka Narayan as UK's 1st AI Cabinet Minister
2026-07-21 00:32:23 · Sentiment: Positive · Impact: 7/10 · Sources: 2

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has elevated AI to cabinet level by appointing Kanishka Narayan as the UK’s first minister for artificial intelligence with a seat at the top table. The move dissolves the standalone DSIT and merges tech oversight with business and trade, raising hopes for accelerated AI commercialisation but also fears of fragmented regulation.
Full story: https://getaibrief.com/story/uk-first-ai-cabinet-minister-narayan-burnham

### Uber, Nissan, and Wayve to Launch Robotaxi Trial in Tokyo
2026-03-12 07:01:11 · Sentiment: Positive · Impact: 7/10 · Sources: 3

Uber is partnering with Nissan and UK-based AI startup Wayve to launch a robotaxi pilot program in Tokyo. This collaboration marks a significant expansion of autonomous ride-hailing in Japan, leveraging Wayve's 'embodied AI' and Nissan's vehicle platforms.
Full story: https://getaibrief.com/story/uber-nissan-wayve-tokyo-robotaxi-trial

### Wayve Hits $8.6B Valuation as Strategic Giants Back Embodied AI for Autonomy
2026-02-25 04:09:43 · Sentiment: Positive · Impact: 8/10 · Sources: 2

British AI startup Wayve has secured $1.5 billion in new funding from a coalition of tech and automotive leaders, valuing the company at $8.6 billion. The capital will accelerate the commercial deployment of its mapless autonomous driving technology, starting with London-based robotaxi trials alongside Uber.
Full story: https://getaibrief.com/story/wayve-8-6-billion-valuation-funding-uber-microsoft-nvidia

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