Wayve, the UK autonomous driving software startup, has raised $1.5 billion in funding at an $8.6 billion valuation as it prepares to go up against Chinese and US rivals to roll out self-driving taxis. The funding comprises $1.2 billion from lead investors Eclipse Ventures LLC, Balderton Capital and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with participation from Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, Baillie Gifford and the British Business Bank among others.