Waymo Driverless Taxis London: Trials Begin with Safety Drivers
Waymo has announced that Waymo driverless taxis London trials will start next year, with human safety drivers behind the wheel first. These vehicles will roam the streets of London while the company seeks permissions to operate fully autonomous rides in 2026.
London would become the first European city with a commercial robotaxi service of this kind, following Waymo’s operations in U.S. cities like San Francisco and Phoenix. The cars are already en route—initially operated with “trained human specialists.” As regulatory approval is secured, Waymo intends for Londoners to hail driverless rides via a mobile app.
Phased Rollout: From Safety Drivers to Full Autonomy
In the coming weeks, Waymo’s robotaxis will appear on London’s roads but under human supervision. With those early trials, the company will gather data and work with the Department for Transport and Transport for London to secure permissions for fully driverless operations targeted for 2026.
The UK’s pilot framework will accelerate trials even before full legislation passes. Once London’s robotaxi program proves successful, the full rollout may follow under the Automated Vehicles Act expected by late 2027.
How Waymo Prepares the London Fleet
Waymo plans to deploy electric Jaguar I‑Pace vehicles for its London service, managed in partnership with Moove to oversee fleet operations, dispatch, and charging infrastructure.
Already, Waymo has ties to the UK: it opened a European engineering hub in Oxford in 2019 and acquired British tech firms that strengthen its AI and simulation capabilities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Yh4Os_rek
Challenges: Regulation, Safety, and Public Trust
Deploying robotaxis in London poses technical and regulatory challenges. The city’s dense, unpredictable traffic demands rigorous testing. Waymo must meet safety benchmarks equal to or better than human drivers to secure government approval.
Concerns about public trust and liability remain. Waymo will need to demonstrate that its technology can safely navigate London’s complex streets before fully driverless service can begin.
Competition and the Broader UK Robotaxi Race
Waymo is not alone. Fellow autonomous vehicle firms like Uber (in partnership with UK startup Wayve) have announced plans to trial driverless taxis in London by 2026.
The UK government is pushing to fast-track new rules, so pilot projects can run before full legislation arrives. This gives companies like Waymo a window to establish early legitimacy.
