Wayve, a London-based developer of end-to-end deep learning software for autonomous driving, has raised $1.2 billion in Series D funding led by SoftBank. The Wayve AI Driver enables mapless, scalable autonomy across any vehicle, geography, and SAE levels from L2+ assisted driving to L4 full autonomy. The capital will deploy its global autonomy platform.
OEM Partnerships Boost AV2.0 Shift
Nissan signed agreements for next-gen driver assistance with Wayve on December 10, 2025. Ties with Stellantis and Uber provide fleet validation. This timing reflects OEMs pivoting from map-reliant AV1.0 to AI-driven software stacks.
HD Maps Constrain Global Scaling
Traditional AV systems require high-definition maps and location-specific training data for each new environment. Mapping efforts demand extensive time and resources, limiting deployment to pre-planned areas. Automakers face barriers to rapid international expansion without such infrastructure.
End-to-End AI Drives Adaptation
Wayve's embodied AI processes camera and sensor inputs directly into driving actions, bypassing explicit maps or rules. The platform generalized to Japan in months using minimal local data, a feat first achieved on UK public roads in 2017. This AV2.0 method addresses scalability gaps in legacy approaches.
GAIA Generates Training Worlds
GAIA leverages generative AI to simulate diverse driving scenarios for evaluation and training. The Fleet Learning Loop deploys updates continuously from real fleet data. Wayve's Safety 2.0 framework quantifies risks across autonomy levels.
$2.8B Signals Investor Conviction
The Series D brings Wayve's total funding to $2.8 billion across four rounds. Backers including Microsoft, Nvidia, and Uber provide strategic validation for AV2.0. SoftBank's leadership underscores bets on software over hardware-heavy autonomy.
Global Testing Validates Approach
Wayve conducted a Global Road Trip across hundreds of cities, testing in UK, US, and Japan. Acquisition of Quality Match enhances data quality for model training. These milestones highlight readiness for OEM integrations.
Nissan Powers L2+ Deployments
Nissan partnership targets deployment of L2+ advanced driver assistance systems. Recent engineering leadership hires bolster execution. Wayve plans further geographic expansion leveraging its rapid adaptation capabilities.