Microsoft, SoftBank in talks for $2 billion investment in UK's Wayve, FT reports
Microsoft and SoftBank are in early talks to invest about $2 billion in Wayve, the British autonomous‑driving start‑up that uses software‑driven navigation instead of the heavy sensor suites seen in other self‑driving cars.
Wayve was founded in 2018 and has already built a handful of electric vehicles that rely on machine‑learning maps and AI to steer themselves. The company has raised more than $1.5 billion from investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Morgan Stanley, and its fleet has been tested on UK roads and the Paris “Robotaxi” network.
Microsoft’s potential stake would bring industry‑leading cloud and AI expertise to Wayve, while SoftBank’s involvement could help scale the technology globally. Both venture firms see a future where Wayve’s software can plug into a wide range of vehicles, from vans to passenger cars, without the commercial and safety constraints that traditional sensor stacks impose.
If the deal closes, the investment will accelerate Wayve’s roadmap to launch a full‑fleet commercial service by 2026 and could set a new standard for vehicle autonomy across Europe and beyond. The partnership would also strengthen the UK’s position as a hub for automotive innovation as governments push toward zero‑emission transport.
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