🔗 Share this article

The US-based firm Waymo has announced that its driverless taxis will be available for booking on London's streets beginning next year.

UK Capital Named as First European City for Autonomous Taxi Service.

London will become the pioneering European city to introduce an driverless taxi service, comparable with those already operational in multiple US cities and four other American cities utilizing Waymo's advanced systems.

Initial Testing Phase to Begin with Safety Drivers.

Waymo announced that its cars are presently en route to London and will begin driving on the capital's roads in the coming weeks with experienced operators behind the wheel.

Waymo – originally created as a offshoot from Google's autonomous vehicle initiative and belonging to the Alphabet family – stated it would expand services and work closely with the government transport body and the city's mobility organization to obtain the required permissions to offer completely driverless services by 2026.

Increasing Interest in Self-Driving Transport In London.

Further firms, such as Uber and the UK-based technology firm Wayve, have also declared their own strategies to test driverless vehicles in the city next year.

This follows the UK authorities announcing it would fast-track regulations allowing real-world tests to proceed before legislation enabling self-driving vehicles passes in full.

“I'm delighted that Waymo plans to introduce their services to London next year, under our planned testing initiative,” commented the official, the secretary.

“Boosting the AV market will enhance accessible transport options alongside generating employment, investment, and prospects to the UK. Advanced investment like this will assist in achieving our mission to be international frontrunners in emerging tech and drive countrywide development.”

Full Introduction Expected After Regulatory Framework Comes into Force.

A fuller rollout of autonomous vehicles is expected in the UK after the related legislation fully takes effect in late 2027.

Waymo's Existing Ties in the United Kingdom and Internationally.

Waymo already has connections to the UK after establishing its pioneering European technical center in Oxford in 2019.

It is additionally introducing offerings in Tokyo using Jaguar Land Rover eco-friendly cars, marking its only other present project beyond the US.

“Our experience shows how to safely expand fully autonomous transport solutions, and we look forward to expand the advantages of our systems to the UK,” remarked the company executive, explaining that the technology was “making roads safer and mobility more accessible”.

Proven Track Record in the United States.

Waymo launched its self-driving taxis in 2020 and presently claims it has transported more than 10 million passengers in the US.

Regardless of some troubling incidents, Waymo stated that evidence showed that vehicles controlled by drivers were involved in incidents that harmed walkers significantly more frequently than its self-driving vehicles.