Waymo to Launch Driverless Taxi Service in london by 2026
LONDON – Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company spun out of Google’s parent company Alphabet, announced plans to deploy its fully driverless taxi service in London beginning in 2026. The expansion marks the first time Waymo will operate a driverless service outside of the United States and signals a significant step toward the global adoption of autonomous vehicle technology.
The move positions London as a leading testbed for self-driving vehicles and offers a potential solution to urban transportation challenges, including congestion and accessibility.Waymo’s technology has already logged millions of miles on public roads in the U.S.,and the company believes London’s complex urban environment provides an ideal setting to further refine and scale its autonomous driving capabilities. The service will initially focus on a defined operational area within the city, with plans for expansion contingent on regulatory approvals and ongoing testing.
Waymo’s vehicles utilize a suite of sensors, including lidar, radar, and cameras, to navigate roads and respond to changing conditions without human intervention. The company has been working closely with Transport for London (TfL) and other stakeholders to ensure the safe and responsible integration of its technology into the city’s transportation network. The 2026 launch will follow a period of intensive mapping and testing to validate the system’s performance in London’s unique traffic patterns and infrastructure.
