Memorandum of Understanding between the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Wayve
Published 12 May 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
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Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade (“DBT”) and Wayve Technologies Limited (“Wayve”) (together the “Participants” and each a “Participant”).
Introduction
The shared ambition and intent of the DBT and Wayve is to harness the transformative potential of automated vehicle technologies to support UK economic growth, advance automotive innovation and improve road safety and transport outcomes in cities and communities. This agreement will support the United Kingdom’s goal to become an ‘artificial intelligence (AI) maker’ and Europe’s first market for self-driving services, building on the UK’s world-leading Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) ecosystem, thriving research and development (R&D) base, and Wayve’s frontier capabilities in embodied AI for safe, scalable automated driving technologies.
Both participants are committed to safe, secure and responsible deployment of automated mobility. This collaboration will support UK efforts to develop trusted safety assurance methods, scale real‑world and simulated testing, and deliver world-leading deployments that anchor high‑quality jobs and investment across the UK.
Wayve is committed to supporting the goals of the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan and contributing to the UK’s ambitions on automotive supply chain growth, skills, and international competitiveness, including through the research interests and activities set out in this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Section 1: supporting the responsible deployment of automated vehicles
The participants intend to work together to support the safe and responsible deployment of automated vehicle technologies in the UK.
This includes enabling the phased transition from testing and pilot programmes to the commercial deployment of automated passenger services. This involves working with vehicle manufacturers, mobility providers, and local authorities to deploy commercial services that align with local transport priorities.
The participants will share insights from automated passenger service deployments to inform UK regulatory development and best practice. Informed by Wayve’s deployment plan, DBT will work with supportive local authorities to unlock further deployment opportunities.
Section 2: accelerating innovation, growth and capability in the UK
The participants intend to collaborate to strengthen the UK’s leadership in automated mobility and its supporting supply chain technologies.
This includes exploring opportunities to advance research and innovation in embodied AI, simulation, and systems integration, and supporting the growth of UK supply chains and partnerships with industry, academia, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Both participants are committed to the creation and promotion of high-value jobs and skills. Wayve will continue to create opportunities in areas such as AI, safety engineering, and advanced manufacturing directly and through the supply chain.
At the same time, working together to identify the right skills and growing the skills base, DBT will engage with other government departments to develop priority skills pathways (for example, safety engineering, autonomy, systems integration).
Through this collaboration, DBT and Wayve aim to build upon the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan and Modern Industrial Strategy, helping ensure the UK remains at the forefront of next-generation automotive and AI technologies, while enabling regional growth by supporting deployments across UK cities and communities.
Section 3: strengthening international leadership and collaboration
The participants share an ambition to promote the UK as a global leader in automated mobility and AI innovation.
The participants intend to work together and with other government departments to support the development of international standards and frameworks for safe and scalable automated driving. Wayve is committed to supporting goals on embodied AI development and contributing to the UK’s international leadership for safe, scalable automated driving technologies through harmonised global rules and regulations. DBT is similarly committed to promote UK AI leadership appropriately in key export markets.
General
This Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) records the participants’ agreed intentions and is not legally binding. It does not constitute a commitment of public funds, and any future funding or commercial arrangements would be subject to applicable law and government processes.
The unabridged version of this MoU is available upon request.