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§ Private Profile · London, United Kingdom
Fully autonomous driving system using end-to-end deep learning.
Wayve develops AI-powered autonomous driving technology, employing embodied AI and end-to-end deep learning for a general-purpose driving intelligence. Their Wayve AI Driver offers automakers scalable automation, allowing vehicles to learn from diverse data and adapt across varied environments. This product delivers robust, adaptable autonomous functionality for future mobility.
Alex Kendall co-founded Wayve in 2017, driven by the insight that end-to-end deep learning could fundamentally transform autonomous mobility. Leveraging his advanced AI research, Kendall built a self-driving system capable of learning directly from real-world experience. This approach simplified development, enabling more flexible and widespread deployment.
Wayve targets automakers integrating advanced AI into their vehicle platforms. The company’s long-term vision is to reshape autonomous mobility by deploying a continuously learning global autonomy platform. This strategy advances driving from assisted functions to fully automated systems, driving significant progress in global vehicle intelligence.
Wayve has raised $3.0B across 8 funding rounds.
Wayve has raised $3.0B in total across 8 funding rounds.
Wayve is a UK-based technology company pioneering Embodied AI for autonomous driving, developing AI foundation models that equip vehicles with a "robot brain" to perceive, predict, and navigate dynamic environments by learning from human behavior.[1][2][4] Its Wayve AI Driver software delivers safe, scalable automation without HD maps or heavy reliance on labeled data, serving automakers, logistics fleets, and mobility networks through sensor-agnostic compatibility.[1][2] Wayve solves the core challenges of self-driving by replacing traditional modular systems (AV1.0) with end-to-end neural networks (AV2.0), enabling adaptation to unseen scenarios and commercial-scale deployment, backed by $1.3B in funding across three rounds.[1][2][4]
The company targets a smarter, safer mobility ecosystem, partnering with leaders in cloud, silicon, and logistics to transition from assisted to fully automated driving.[1][4]
Wayve was co-founded in 2017 by Alex Kendall, who drew from his PhD research in computer vision at the University of Cambridge, where he pioneered deep learning methods for machines to perceive surroundings and make driving decisions.[3][4] Kendall, now CEO, launched the company to reimagine autonomous mobility through embodied intelligence, shifting from rigid rule-based systems to data-driven AI that mimics human-like driving.[1][3] Early traction stemmed from award-winning academic work, evolving into real-world deployments and groundbreaking machine learning products managed by the leadership team, including experts like Jamie Shotton (Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering) and Vijay Badrinarayanan (ex-Magic Leap AI lead).[3]
Headquartered in London with global offices in the US, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Israel, Wayve quickly scaled through strategic partnerships and investments, positioning itself as a leader in AV2.0 technology.[1][4]
Wayve stands out in autonomous driving through its AV2.0 architecture and Embodied AI focus:
These enable faster, cheaper development compared to map-heavy rivals.
Wayve rides the Embodied AI wave in robotics and autonomy, applying foundation models—proven in language like LLMs—to physical worlds, addressing AV1.0's scaling failures amid rising demand for safe, map-free self-driving.[1][2] Timing aligns with AI hardware advances (e.g., efficient neural nets) and regulatory pushes for automated vehicles, amplified by market forces like labor shortages in logistics and urban mobility congestion.[1][5] By enabling "eyes-off" transitions and global scalability, Wayve influences the ecosystem, partnering with SoftBank and others to accelerate AV adoption, potentially reshaping $10T+ transportation while prioritizing responsible AI.[4][5]
Wayve is poised for commercial breakthroughs in 2026+, with AV2.0 pilots expanding via OEM integrations and fleet tests, fueled by its $1.3B war chest and global footprint.[4] Trends like multimodal AI, synthetic data sims, and regulatory greenlights (e.g., Europe/US AV laws) will propel growth, evolving Wayve from pioneer to scale provider—potentially dominating mapless autonomy as data flywheels compound safety.[2] Its influence could standardize Embodied AI across mobility, delivering the human-like driving the industry has chased since 2017, safer and smarter for all.[1][3]
Wayve has raised $3.0B across 8 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $1.2B Series D in February 2026.
Wayve has raised $3.0B in total across 8 funding rounds.
Wayve's investors include Jensen Huang, Dominik Wee, Rishi Dhall, Kentaro Matsui, Eclipse Ventures, 8VC, Accel, Acequia Capital, AIX Ventures, AlleyCorp, Balderton Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners.