Wayve bags $1.2B from Nvidia, Uber, automakers for AV push - AI News Today Recency
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Published: 2/25/2026
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Updated: 2/25/2026, 2:40:36 AM
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# Wayve Bags $1.2B from Nvidia, Uber, Automakers for AV Push
UK-based autonomous vehicle startup Wayve has secured a massive $1.2 billion Series D funding round, backed by heavyweights like Nvidia, Uber, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Nissan, pushing its total valuation to $8.6 billion and total funding to $2.8 billion.[1][2][3] With milestone-based additions from Uber bringing the effective round to $1.5 billion, Wayve is accelerating its robotaxi deployments in London and global advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) partnerships, signaling a resurgence in AV investment amid AI breakthroughs.[1][4]
Key Investors Fuel Wayve's Autonomous Driving Ambitions
The funding round draws from a powerhouse coalition, including tech giants Nvidia and Microsoft, ride-hailing leader Uber, and automakers Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis.[1][2][3] Nvidia's long-standing partnership since 2018 powers Wayve's Gen 3 platform with the Nvidia Drive AGX Thor kit, enabling Level 4 driverless capabilities on city streets and highways.[2] Uber's investment includes milestone-tied capital for scaling Wayve-powered robotaxis across more than 10 global markets, starting with commercial trials in London in 2026.[2][3][4] Microsoft supports via Azure for scalable AI deployment, while automakers like Nissan plan to integrate Wayve's software into ProPilot ADAS from 2027.[3][4]
Robotaxi Rollout and Partnerships Take Center Stage
Wayve's strategy emphasizes software licensing over hardware, partnering with Uber to deploy L4-capable vehicles on its network using mass-produced cars from participating OEMs.[3][4] CEO Alex Kendall highlighted the "war chest" for long-term product sustainability, positioning Wayve against rivals like Waymo on its "home turf" of British roads.[1][4] Unlike Tesla or Waymo, which build their own fleets, Wayve focuses on end-to-end AI for L2+ hands-off to L3/L4 eyes-off driving across brands and markets.[3][4] Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi praised the approach as "purpose-built for scale, safety, and effectiveness."[2]
AV Industry Revival Amid Past Setbacks
This influx reflects renewed optimism in autonomous vehicles, driven by AI advances from Nvidia and others, despite earlier failures by GM, Ford, and Stellantis in costly self-driving efforts.[1] Wayve's embodied AI platform aims for global deployment, with endorsements from leaders like Microsoft's Satya Nadella and Nissan's Ivan Espinosa underscoring its potential for commercial rollout.[3] The $8.6 billion valuation underscores investor confidence in Wayve's unified tech stack for robotaxis and ADAS.[1][2][4]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total funding amount Wayve raised in this Series D round?
Wayve raised **$1.2 billion** upfront, expanding to **$1.5 billion** with Uber's milestone-based investments, valuing the company at **$8.6 billion**.[1][3][4]
Who are the main investors in Wayve's latest funding round?
Key backers include **Nvidia**, **Microsoft**, **Uber**, **Mercedes-Benz**, **Nissan**, and **Stellantis**, plus financial and institutional investors.[1][2][3]
What are Wayve's plans for robotaxi deployments?
Wayve partners with Uber for **L4 robotaxi** launches starting in **London in 2026**, scaling to over **10 global markets** using mass-produced vehicles.[2][3][4]
How does Wayve differ from competitors like Tesla or Waymo?
Wayve develops **software-only** solutions for licensing to automakers and fleets, avoiding its own hardware or robotaxi fleet builds.[4]
When will Nissan integrate Wayve's technology?
Nissan will use Wayve's AI to enhance its **ProPilot ADAS** starting in **2027**.[2][4]
What technology powers Wayve's self-driving platform?
Wayve's **Gen 3 platform** leverages **Nvidia Drive AGX Thor** for **end-to-end AI** supporting **Level 4 autonomy** on streets and highways.[2]
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 1:10:25 AM
**LIVE UPDATE: Wayve's $1.2B Funding Fuels End-to-End AI for L4 Autonomy**
Wayve's **Gen 3 platform**, powered by Nvidia's Drive AGX Thor kit since 2018, enables **eyes-off L3/L4 driverless capabilities** on city streets and highways, distinguishing its scalable **embodied AI** approach from hardware-heavy rivals like Waymo or Tesla.[1][2][3] Nissan will integrate this software into its ProPilot ADAS from **2027**, while Uber plans **2026 London robotaxi trials** scaling to **over 10 global markets** using L4 vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis—with Uber CEO Dar
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 1:20:24 AM
**LONDON NEWS UPDATE:** No official regulatory or government response has emerged to Wayve's $1.2 billion Series D funding announcement, which values the UK self-driving startup at $8.6 billion and supports robotaxi launches in London starting 2026 with Uber.[1][3][5] The British Business Bank's participation as a new investor signals quiet government backing via public funds, but transport authorities have yet to comment on approvals for the planned Level 4 deployments on UK roads.[2][3] Wayve CEO Alex Kendall highlighted the firm's "war chest" for long-term market sustainability amid broader AV challenges.[1]
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 1:30:25 AM
**LONDON (AV Wire) — Wayve's $1.2B Series D funding, backed by Nvidia, Uber, Microsoft, and automakers Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis, intensifies competition in autonomous driving by challenging sensor- and map-dependent rivals like Waymo and Cruise with its hardware-agnostic, end-to-end AI platform.**[1][2][3] Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated, “We are very proud to continue to deepen our partnership with Wayve, with plans to deploy together in more than **10 markets** around the world,” signaling a robotaxi push starting with London trials in 2026 and additional $300M milestone-based investment to scale globally using L
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 1:40:25 AM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Expert Analysis on Wayve's $1.2B AV Funding Surge**
Industry leaders hail Wayve's $1.2B Series D—totaling $1.5B with Uber milestones and valuing the firm at $8.6B—as a pivotal endorsement of its end-to-end AI driving tech, with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stating, “Wayve’s powerful end-to-end approach is purpose-built for scale, safety, and effectiveness,” ahead of deployments in over 10 global markets starting in London this year[1][3][5]. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella praised it as "pushing the frontier of embodied AI," enabling Azure-backed scaling from L2+ hands-of
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 1:50:26 AM
**Wayve secures $1.2B in Series D funding to accelerate autonomous vehicle commercialization**, with Microsoft, Nvidia, and Uber joining automotive giants Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis as investors, valuing the U.K. startup at $8.6 billion[1][2]. The funding will power deployment of Wayve's **Gen 3 platform**, which leverages Nvidia Drive AGX Thor compute hardware to deliver Level 4 driverless capabilities on city streets and highways, alongside advanced driver-assistance systems for mass-market vehicles[1]. Uber has committed additional milestone-based capital beyond the $1.2B round to
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 2:00:25 AM
**NEWS UPDATE: Wayve's $1.2B Funding Fuels Global AV Expansion Amid Strong International Backing**
London-based Wayve has secured $1.2 billion in Series D funding from Nvidia, Uber, Microsoft, and global automakers Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis, enabling deployment of its AI-driven autonomous tech across more than **10 markets worldwide**, starting with robotaxi trials in London in 2026[1][3]. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated, “We are very proud to continue to deepen our partnership with Wayve, with plans to deploy together in more than 10 markets around the world,” while Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa added, “This investment deepens our partnershi
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 2:10:25 AM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Wayve Funding Sparks AV Sector Buzz**
Wayve's $1.2 billion Series D funding round, valuing the startup at **$8.6 billion**, drew strong backing from Nvidia, Uber, Microsoft, and automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis, but triggered mixed market reactions with no immediate stock surges reported for public investors[1][3]. Uber shares dipped **1.2%** in after-hours trading on February 24 amid broader AV competition concerns, while Nvidia held steady despite its ongoing partnership since 2018[1]. Analysts note the deal positions Wayve to challenge Waymo in London robotaxi trials starting 2026, potentially pressuring rivals' va
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 2:20:35 AM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Wayve's $1.2B raise reshapes AV competitive landscape.** Backed by Nvidia, Uber, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis, the funding—part of a broader $1.5B round valuing Wayve at $8.6B—positions the UK startup as a frontrunner in scalable, map-agnostic AI driving tech, challenging Waymo's dominance and Baidu-Lyft efforts with planned 2026 London robotaxi trials alongside Uber in over 10 global markets[1][2][3][4]. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated, “We are very proud to continue to deepen our partnership with Wayve, wit
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 2:30:36 AM
**LIVE UPDATE: Wayve's $1.2B AI-First AV Breakthrough**
Wayve's $1.2 billion Series D funding, backed by Nvidia, Uber, Microsoft, and automakers Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis, propels its **Gen 3 platform**—powered by Nvidia's Drive AGX Thor compute kit—toward scalable **end-to-end deep learning** for L4 "eyes-off" autonomy on city streets and highways, bypassing traditional HD maps and rule-based systems.[1][2][3] Nissan plans to integrate this for enhanced ADAS in 2027, while Uber commits an extra $300 million tied to robotaxi rollouts starting in London 202
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 2:40:36 AM
**Wayve's $1.2 billion funding round signals a major realignment in the autonomous vehicle landscape, with the London-based startup now positioned against established competitors like Waymo and Cruise by leveraging partnerships rather than geofenced deployments.**[1][2] The coalition of backers—including Nvidia, Uber, and three undisclosed automakers—reflects a strategic shift toward AI-first approaches that don't rely on pre-programmed rules and HD maps, addressing a critical gap that traditional robotaxi operators have struggled to solve at global scale.[2] Uber's additional $300 million commitment and plans to deploy Wayve's software across more than 10 markets worldwide unders