Freenow by Lyft to raise funds for Whizz Kidz through its in-app Round Up and Donate feature. Freenow by Lyft has partnered with Whizz Kidz, the UK's leading charity for young wheelchair users, to raise funds for the charity via its in-app Round Up and Donate feature, as well as drive awareness about the importance of ensuring young wheelchair users continue to have access to black cabs. A new survey* of young wheelchair users and their families by Whizz Kidz has underscored the importance of the partnership. The survey highlights widespread anxiety over black cab availability, with 96% of young wheelchair users warning that a continued decline in accessible taxis will make travel harder. Every black cab in the UK is wheelchair accessible, making the fleet a vital mode of transport for young wheelchair users seeking everyday independence. Freenow by Lyft's black cab fleet operates across the UK, including major cities such as London, Manchester, and Edinburgh The research also highlights how heavily young wheelchair users depend on black cabs for daily life, with availability issues disrupting plans for 84% of respondents. Black cabs are also primary drivers of independence, utilised by 59% of respondents for social outings, 36% for education, and 29% for work and healthcare. Meanwhile, 53% of respondents stated they turn to black cabs out of necessity due to an absence of alternative transport options. Knowing a provider guarantees an accessible fleet was ranked as a vital factor for booking ease, with 73% of respondents stating that booking through an app where fleet accessibility is guaranteed directly improves their travel experience. Freenow by Lyft passengers across the UK can now round up their fare to the nearest pound, with 100% of proceeds going directly to Whizz Kidz. All donations will support customised mobility equipment, specialist support, and advocacy for an accessible society. To mark the launch, a co-branded Whizz Kidz and Freenow black cab will take to London's streets as a mobile billboard raising awareness. Passengers can activate the Round Up and Donate feature in the Freenow app before, during, or after their trip. According to recent TfL research**, disabled Londoners rely on taxis and private hire vehicles at nearly double the rate of non-disabled passengers to navigate their daily lives. By offering access to the largest black cab fleet on a single app, Freenow by Lyft delivers a vital service that empowers wheelchair users to navigate their cities how and when they choose. All black cabs are equipped with built-in ramps, floor securement points, and spacious interiors. Danny O'Gorman, UKI General Manager at Freenow by Lyft, said: "As the platform with the largest fleet of wheelchair-accessible black cabs, we are committed to championing accessibility every day. We have already delivered accessibility training for our drivers alongside Whizz Kidz, and are determined to lead the industry in setting higher standards across the transport sector. This new survey shows how critical fleet reliability is for young people. By encouraging passengers to round up their fares, we are enabling Whizz Kidz to continue their vital work while ensuring young wheelchair users can move around easily and on their own terms." Liz George, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Whizz Kidz, said: "London TV is delighted to be partnering with Freenow by Lyft to help drive meaningful change for young wheelchair users across the UK. At Whizz Kidz, London TV know that access to transport is about so much more than getting from A to B. It's about freedom, confidence and being able to take part in education, work and social opportunities without barriers. "Our new research shows that 96% of young wheelchair users fear travel will become harder as black cabs decline, highlighting just how important it is that accessibility remains a priority. Through this partnership, we're not only helping to shine a spotlight on the challenges disabled people face every day, but also providing real, practical support. Funds raised will help more young wheelchair users access life-changing mobility equipment, specialist support and opportunities to build their independence, unlock their potential and live the lives they choose." Owen West, Whizz Kidz Collective member and wheelchair user, said: "I'm really pleased to see Whizz Kidz and Freenow by Lyft partnering up. Being able to book black cabs on the app makes a huge difference. It means we can be spontaneous, hang out with friends, and just enjoy life without stressing about how we're getting home."

Uber launches first robotaxi rides with passengers in London. Uber and British startup Wayve are bringing 15 self-driving cars to London streets, offering passengers the chance to choose a robotaxi over a standard vehicle for the first time. To ensure safety, a safety operator will still be present behind the wheel of each vehicle. Collaboration between Uber and British startup Wayve 15 self-driving cars used in the first phase A safety operator is present in each vehicle for safety There are over 120,000 taxi drivers in London American ride-sharing company Uber, in collaboration with British technology firm Wayve, is launching a pilot project in London that will transport passengers in self-driving cars. In the first phase of the trial period, 15 robotaxis will be used, and they will become available to users as early as this week. When a user orders a ride via the Uber app and a self-driving vehicle happens to be available in the area, the system will make the corresponding offer to the customer. The passenger has the option to decide whether they want to ride in a robotaxi or prefer a standard car driven by a human. Although this is autonomous technology, a safety operator will still be present in all vehicles initially, ready to take control at any moment if the situation requires it. The future of technology in London. Wayve CEO Alex Kendall did not wish to predict an exact timeline for when British authorities might grant permission for wider adoption of the technology. Industry analysts do not expect a significant breakthrough before 2027 or 2028. There is also a degree of political uncertainty regarding the future of the sector on London streets. The UK's new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has not yet publicly confirmed his stance on autonomous taxis. Under the leadership of his predecessor, Keir Starmer, the government was generally supportive of the technology's development. Competition and regulations. The London market is attractive to developers of self-driving cars because it is one of the world's largest taxi service markets, with over 120,000 drivers. In addition to Uber and Wayve, other tech giants are testing similar solutions, including Waymo and Baidu in partnership with Freenow, but they are still conducting tests without passengers. Local regulators remain cautious about self-driving cars. In addition to strict safety requirements, a concern is the socio-economic impact, as wider adoption of the technology could lead to a massive reduction in jobs within the taxi sector. Technology What to know Cambridge researchers map fruit fly brain and reveal connections driving behavior. * Cambridge researchers mapped 124 million neural connections. * The brain architecture of male and female flies differs by 5%. * The study was published in the scientific journal Cell. 50 min ago Technology What to know Google unveiled AI-based weather forecasting model WeatherNext 3 in Mountain View. * WeatherNext 3 is Google's newest AI weather forecasting model * The model offers forecasts with a 5 km resolution * Rainfall prediction accuracy improved by 60 percent * The model will be integrated into Google Search, Maps, and Gemini Technology Nvidia to acquire artificial intelligence platform Hugging Face for $12.9 billion. Chipmaker Nvidia has announced the acquisition of AI model sharing platform Hugging Face for $12.93 billion. The company promises to maintain the platform's openness for developers while providing greater computing power. Technology Amazon subsidiary Zoox expands robotaxi service to Las Vegas airport. Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle developer Zoox will begin offering robotaxi service between Harry Reid International Airport and downtown Las Vegas. The service, which allows for pick-up and drop-off directly at the baggage claim area, now competes directly with conventional rideshare apps.