Waymo, the US-based autonomous driving technology company, is preparing to launch a fully driverless robotaxi service in London as early as September, according to a company announcement made on January 28, 2026.
The planned service represents a significant step toward the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles in the United Kingdom. While the UK government has indicated its intention to amend regulations in the latter half of 2026 to facilitate the operation of driverless taxis, a specific date for the regulatory changes has not been confirmed.
Waymo initiated a pilot program in April, deploying vehicles equipped with safety drivers to map London’s streets. These vehicles are currently gathering data and refining the AI system that will ultimately control the robotaxis. Once regulations are finalized, passengers will be able to hail the vehicles through a dedicated mobile application, though initial service offerings will not include airport drop-offs.
The move follows a government decision in June 2025 to authorize autonomous vehicle companies to begin public road testing in Spring 2026. Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood expressed support for Waymo’s initiative, stating that automated vehicles have the potential to enhance road safety by eliminating human errors such as fatigue, distraction, and driving under the influence. Greenwood as well emphasized the importance of stringent safety standards, including robust cybersecurity measures, before allowing fully autonomous vehicles on UK roads.
Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of UK autonomous driving company Wayve, highlighted the engineering challenges inherent in developing autonomous systems capable of navigating complex urban environments. “Autonomous driving is one of the most complex engineering problems we have today,” Kendall said. “It requires developing a safety critical system that’s affordable to be mass-manufactured around the world, and has the flexibility to operate in many markets.”
The UK government estimates that the autonomous vehicle industry could contribute £42 billion to the UK economy by 2035 and generate approximately 40,000 new jobs. Madrid is also planning to launch driverless taxis in 2026, in partnership with Uber, and Abu Dhabi has already begun operating driverless robotaxis through a collaboration between Uber, and WeRide.
Despite the potential benefits, some remain skeptical. London’s black cab drivers have voiced concerns about the impact of robotaxis on their livelihoods. The technology is currently undergoing rigorous testing, with a safety operator present in the vehicle, ready to intervene if necessary, as mandated by current UK regulations.
Waymo’s vehicles are already operating on London’s roads with safety drivers for mapping purposes, but are not yet available for public hire. The company intends to offer rides with no human driver behind the wheel in 2026, pending final regulatory approval.
