What is Level 4 autonomy and how close is the UK to adopting robo-taxis?

As major vehicle manufacturers accelerate their plans for self-driving technology, the term “Level 4 autonomy” is becoming more common. But what does it actually mean, and how close is the UK to seeing this level of automation on its roads?

Understanding Level 4 autonomy

Autonomous vehicles are classified into six levels, from 0 to 5, based on how much human input is required. Level 4 represents a high level of autonomy where the vehicle can drive itself without any human intervention, but only within defined areas or conditions known as Operational Design Domains (ODD). For example, a Level 4 vehicle may be restricted to city centres, certain weather conditions, or geofenced routes.

Unlike Level 3 systems, which still rely on the driver to take over when needed, Level 4 systems can operate independently. These vehicles are built with multiple layers of redundancy, including advanced sensors, real-time mapping, and high-performance computing, to ensure safety in the absence of a driver.

Level 5, the final stage, would allow full automation under all conditions, but this remains a long-term goal.

The global push

Automotive firms and technology companies globally are investing in Level 4 platforms. Recently, Stellantis partnered with NVIDIA, Uber, and Foxconn to develop and deploy Level 4 autonomous vehicles by 2028. Uber plans to begin operations in select US cities using Stellantis-built vehicles before expanding globally.

This type of collaboration reflects a broader shift in the industry, with manufacturers not just building cars but also enabling ride-hailing, goods delivery, and fleet services powered by driverless technology.

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The UK landscape

In the UK, the Government has expressed support for autonomous vehicle development and introduced legislation to pave the way for deployment. The Automated Vehicles Bill, passed in 2023, sets the legal framework for self-driving vehicles and outlines the responsibilities of operators and manufacturers.

Despite the legislative progress, fully driverless services are not yet active on UK public roads. Most testing remains within controlled environments or designated routes under strict supervision. A few trials have taken place, including autonomous shuttles and pods in areas such as Oxford and Milton Keynes, but these are limited in scope.

Public trust, infrastructure readiness, and regulatory clarity continue to shape the pace of rollout. Safety remains the priority, and any introduction of Level 4 services would require approval by the new regulator established under the 2023 legislation.

Realistic timelines

While some trials may expand in the next few years, commercial Level 4 robotaxi services in the UK are unlikely before 2030. Even then, deployment would probably begin in limited urban areas or on fixed routes such as airport transfers or business parks.

Progress is likely to be gradual. The UK’s focus is on enabling innovation while maintaining public confidence and road safety. Unlike the US or parts of Asia, the UK’s regulatory and road conditions make large-scale Level 4 rollout more complex.

However, as technology matures and companies like Stellantis and Uber press ahead with their plans, the UK will not be far behind in adopting similar services, once they are proven elsewhere.