London-based self-driving startup Wayve is set to test its advanced driver assist technology in California, following significant backing from Microsoft, Nvidia, and SoftBank. This expansion marks a pivotal challenge for the company, as its vehicles will adapt to driving on the right side of the road, a shift from the UK’s left-side traffic system.
CEO Alex Kendall highlighted the new hurdles, such as four-way stop signs and right turns on red, which differ from UK driving norms. Wayve’s self-driving software, trained in London’s narrow streets, employs an end-to-end AI model that learns from real-world testing and simulations.
Wayve recently raised over $1 billion, and Kendall expressed confidence in the technology’s adaptability. The company has already begun teaching its vehicles to interpret four-way stop signs shortly after initiating tests in California.
In addition to expanding its US operations, Wayve has opened offices in Vancouver and San Francisco. A strategic partnership with Uber aims to integrate Wayve’s driver-assist technology into consumer vehicles, eventually leading to fully autonomous robotaxis on Uber’s platform.
Kendall emphasized the importance of global data access for training the technology to navigate diverse driving environments. He believes that widespread deployment in consumer vehicles is essential for achieving significant advancements in autonomous driving.
As the industry evolves, Wayve’s innovative approach contrasts with competitors like Waymo, which operates within geofenced areas. Kendall envisions a future where autonomous vehicles extend beyond robotaxis, potentially entering the robotics sector.