Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company, is planning to launch its driverless taxi service in London by 2026, marking a significant step in its global expansion. This move will make London the first European city to join Waymo's ride-hailing network. The company, formerly known as Google's self-driving car project, already operates autonomous vehicles in several U.S. cities and is now laying the groundwork for its introduction to the UK capital.
Waymo's decision to expand to London aligns with the UK's efforts to become a leader in autonomous vehicle technology. The UK government has been actively working to create a regulatory environment that supports the development and deployment of self-driving cars. The Automated Vehicles Act, which became law in May 2024, establishes a legal framework for self-driving cars, requiring them to meet rigorous safety standards. The government plans to begin pilot programs for small-scale self-driving taxi and bus services in the spring of 2026.
According to Waymo, its services will support London's existing transportation network, including buses, trains, bikes, and pedestrian infrastructure. The ride-hailing service will be available through the Waymo app. Over the coming months, Waymo will collaborate with its fleet operations partner, Moove, to prepare for the rollout and engage with local and national leaders to secure the necessary permissions for its commercial ride-hailing service in London.
Waymo already has ties to the UK, with engineering hubs in London and Oxford that focus on advancing large-scale, closed-loop simulation, a development method for autonomous driving technology. The company also partners with Jaguar Land Rover, using its all-electric I-PACE vehicles equipped with the Waymo Driver system.
Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo's co-CEO, expressed excitement about bringing Waymo's technology to London, stating that the company is making roads safer and transportation more accessible. She emphasized Waymo's experience in scaling fully autonomous ride-hailing and the company's eagerness to expand the benefits of its technology to the United Kingdom.
Heidi Alexander, the Secretary of State for Transport, welcomed Waymo's intention to launch services in London, noting that it would boost the AV sector, increase accessible transport options, and bring jobs, investment, and opportunities to the UK.
Road safety groups in the UK have also welcomed the introduction of autonomous vehicles, citing their potential to reduce accidents. James Gibson, executive director of Road Safety GB, noted that Waymo's vehicles have performed far safer than human drivers across millions of autonomous miles.
Before launching its fully driverless service, Waymo will begin testing its vehicles on London streets with a human "safety driver" behind the wheel. The company will also need to adhere to Transport for London's regulations, which oversee licensing for taxis and other transportation services.
Waymo's expansion to London is part of a broader trend of growth in the autonomous vehicle industry. The global autonomous vehicle market is projected to reach $273.75 billion in 2025 and $4,450.34 billion by 2034. Several companies, including Uber and Lyft, are also planning to launch autonomous vehicle services in the UK in the coming years.
However, the path to widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles is not without its challenges. Regulators are still grappling with issues such as safety, liability, and public trust. Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into Waymo's self-driving vehicles after reports that they may have violated traffic safety laws designed to protect schoolchildren. The investigation was triggered by an incident in Georgia where a Waymo vehicle appeared to have passed a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Waymo has stated that it has already developed and implemented improvements related to stopping for school buses and will release additional software updates.
