Wayve, UK’s AI-driven self-driving startup, to raise $2B from Microsoft & Softbank

London-based autonomous driving specialist Wayve is reportedly in advanced discussions with Microsoft and SoftBankto raise up to $2 billion in fresh capital, potentially valuing the firm at around $8 billion.

Wayve, founded in 2017, has carved out a niche in the AV sector by focusing on “embodied AI”, a method that aims to enable cars to learn from real-world visual data rather than relying heavily on detailed maps or expensive sensor packages. In 2024, it secured over $1 billion in funding from investors like SoftBank, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Wayve’s growth and global ambitions have already made waves in the automotive and mobility press. On TelematicsWire, for instance, it’s been reported that Nvidia is weighing a $500 million investment in Wayve, which underscores the broader backing for its AI-first direction. The platform was also spotlighted on TelematicsWire when Wayve and Uber announced their plans to pilot Level 4 autonomy trials in the UK.

Should the Microsoft / SoftBank deal go through, the infusion would accelerate Wayve’s technology maturation, expand its global testing footprint, and refine its route to commercialization. Meanwhile, observers will be watching whether this new investment round shifts power in the autonomous driving sector — especially between AI-centric approaches like Wayve’s and more sensor-heavy, mapping-centric rivals.