Uber has shifted its attention to autonomous mobility in one of its major global markets, launching a limited robotaxi service in London just a day after withdrawing its ride-hailing operations from Nigeria.

The London service, unveiled on Thursday in partnership with UK self-driving technology firm Wayve, marks another step in Uber’s push to make autonomous vehicles a significant part of its future business model.

The development comes as Nigerian customers adjust to the company’s decision to end its 12-year presence in the country on September 2.

The initial rollout is modest, involving fewer than 20 electric Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles fitted with Wayve’s artificial-intelligence driving technology. The system combines cameras, radar and AI models to interpret road conditions, navigate traffic and make driving decisions.

Despite being branded robotaxis, the vehicles are not yet operating without human supervision. A licensed safety operator will remain inside each car to monitor journeys and take control when required, while Uber and Wayve await further regulatory approvals for fully autonomous services.

The contrasting developments underline a significant change in Uber’s global direction: while its traditional ride-hailing business has retreated from Nigeria, the company is investing heavily in technologies that could reshape urban transportation.

Its London experiment therefore offers a glimpse of a future in which Uber’s platform could increasingly connect passengers with autonomous vehicles rather than conventional driver-operated cars.