UK AI Start-up Wayve Secures $1.2 Billion Funding from Automakers and…

Team S · 2026-02-25T14:27:43.000Z

Wayve, a London-based autonomous driving and artificial intelligence company, has raised $1.2 billion in a new funding round from a high-profile group of automotive manufacturers and technology giants as it prepares to roll out its first robotaxi service in London in 2026. The transaction underscores strong investor confidence in Wayve’s “generalisable” AI driving software and its potential to accelerate the commercial adoption of self-driving vehicles across global markets. Founded in 2017 by Alex Kendall and Amar Shah, Wayve develops a foundational AI platform that learns to drive from real-world data, enabling a wide range of autonomous capabilities without relying on detailed maps or extensive hand-coded rules. Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, the company’s technologies are designed both for future robotaxi fleets and for integration with OEM partner vehicles, allowing flexible deployment across different vehicle types and geographies. Funding Round and Investors - The latest financing includes participation from major automakers Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Nissan, along with technology powerhouses Nvidia, Microsoft and ride-hailing partner Uber, marking Wayve’s first direct backing from traditional automotive manufacturers alongside Big Tech investors. This round increases Wayve’s total funding to an estimated $2.5 billion to $2.8 billion and supports the company’s efforts to commercialise its AI-based autonomous systems in both robotaxi services and embedded driver assistance products. The fresh capital will accelerate Wayve’s robotaxi deployment plans in London while backing the company’s broader strategy to embed its scalable AI driving software in production vehicles through collaborative OEM partnerships. By offering adaptable autonomy software rather than building its own fleet, Wayve positions itself as a strategic technology provider poised to capitalize on the growing demand for autonomous solutions in mobility and logistics.

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UK AI Start-up Wayve Secures $1.2 Billion Funding from Automakers and… | Newnex