Londoners Reject Robotaxis as Safety Fears Overshadow Autonomous Future

New London Assembly survey reveals more residents oppose autonomous taxis than support them, with safety, reliability and privacy emerging as the biggest barriers to public acceptance.

The prospect of driverless taxis becoming a common sight on London's streets is facing a significant obstacle before the technology has even arrived: public opinion.

A new survey commissioned by the London Assembly Transport Committee has found that more Londoners oppose the introduction of autonomous passenger vehicles than support them, highlighting widespread concerns over safety, technical reliability and data privacy as self-driving technology moves closer to commercial deployment.

The findings come at a crucial time for the sector, with companies including Wayve, Uber and Waymo preparing for the next phase of autonomous vehicle development as the UK's regulatory framework begins to take shape.

Public Remains Deeply Divided

The YouGov survey of 1,053 London adults found that 42% oppose the introduction of autonomous passenger vehicles on London's streets, while just 29% support their deployment.

The remaining respondents were either undecided or neither supported nor opposed the technology, underlining that public confidence has yet to keep pace with rapid technological advances.

Perhaps more tellingly, only three in ten Londoners said they would be likely to use an autonomous taxi if one became available.

For an industry built on public trust, those figures represent a significant challenge.

Safety Tops the List of Concerns

While autonomous vehicle developers frequently highlight the potential safety benefits of removing human error from driving, Londoners remain unconvinced.

Nearly half of respondents (48%) said their biggest concern was whether autonomous vehicles could safely respond to unexpected situations or emergencies.

A further 41% cited general road safety concerns, while 39% questioned the reliability of the technology itself, expressing fears over potential system failures or software malfunctions.

Data privacy also emerged as a significant issue.

Only 17% of respondents said they trusted operators to manage and protect the personal information collected by autonomous vehicles, reflecting wider concerns around digital privacy and connected transport systems.

Assembly Investigation Continues

The survey forms part of the London Assembly Transport Committee's wider inquiry into how autonomous passenger vehicles could operate safely and effectively within the capital.

The committee is examining a broad range of issues, including road safety, accessibility, congestion, regulation, employment impacts and the wider effect driverless vehicles could have on London's transport network.

Its findings will inform recommendations due to be published later this year.

Calls to Listen to Public Opinion

Caroline Russell AM, Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, said the survey demonstrates why public confidence must sit at the heart of any future rollout.

She said:

"Hearing how Londoners feel about autonomous passenger vehicles is an important part of the Transport Committee investigation into their trial and possible rollout in London.

"The strength of opposition is concerning, and we believe the Department for Transport and Transport for London should sit up and take our survey results seriously when considering the next steps for this technology."

She added that the committee's final recommendations would directly reflect the concerns identified through the public consultation.

Technology Continues to Advance

Despite public hesitation, autonomous vehicle development continues to accelerate.

Companies are already conducting supervised trials on UK roads while manufacturers refine increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence capable of navigating complex urban environments.

The Automated Vehicles Act has established the legislative framework for future commercial self-driving services, although operators must still secure approval from national regulators and satisfy Transport for London licensing requirements before passenger services can begin operating in the capital.

Balancing Innovation with Public Confidence

Supporters argue autonomous vehicles could significantly reduce collisions caused by human error, improve mobility for people unable to drive and expand transport choices in underserved communities.

However, concerns remain around how the technology will interact with pedestrians and cyclists, its impact on professional drivers, potential increases in congestion and ensuring services remain fully accessible for disabled passengers.

These issues have become central to the Assembly's inquiry and are likely to shape London's approach to autonomous transport over the coming years.

Trust May Be the Biggest Challenge

The technology powering autonomous vehicles continues to evolve at remarkable speed.

Public confidence, however, appears to be progressing far more slowly.

For developers, policymakers and regulators alike, the challenge is no longer simply proving that autonomous vehicles can drive safely.

It is demonstrating they can earn the trust of the people expected to use them.

As London edges closer to the arrival of commercial robotaxi services, the latest survey suggests that winning public acceptance may prove just as important—and perhaps far more difficult—than solving the engineering challenges that first made autonomous driving possible.