KATHMANDU: UK-based AI self-driving startup Wayve has raised $1.2 billion in fresh funding, pushing its valuation to $8.6 billion as it prepares to launch its first robotaxi service in London later this year.
The latest investment round includes participation from major automakers Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Nissan, marking the first time Wayve has secured capital from the automotive industry since its founding in 2017.
Existing backers such as SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Nvidia, Microsoft and Uber also participated, taking the company’s total funding to $2.5 billion.
Wayve confirmed that its autonomous driving software will be integrated into future vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Nissan. The system will support both robotaxi fleets and privately owned vehicles.
Uber is also planning to deploy Wave-powered robotaxis in multiple global cities, including London.
Unlike rivals that develop hardware-specific systems, Wayve says its AI-driven software is vehicle-agnostic and can operate across different models and urban environments.
The company plans to introduce its first “hands-off” driver-assist system in private vehicles next year, with full robotaxi operations expected to begin through UK trials later this year.
With fresh capital and new automotive partnerships, Wayve is shifting from research and development to commercial deployment, positioning itself as a software-focused autonomy provider rather than a traditional vehicle manufacturer.
