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The US-based company Waymo has announced that its driverless taxis will be on offer for use on London's roads starting next year.

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

The UK capital will become the inaugural European city to host an self-driving taxi service, similar to those already familiar in multiple US cities and several American urban centers employing Waymo's cutting-edge systems.

Preliminary Trials to Commence with Human Specialists.

Waymo announced that its cars are presently en route to London and will begin operating on the capital's public roads in the next few weeks with experienced operators supervising the vehicles.

The company – originally established as a spin-off from the tech giant's self-driving car initiative and belonging to the larger corporate umbrella – stated it would increase services and work closely with the government transport body and the city's mobility organization to acquire the required permissions to deliver fully autonomous services by 2026.

Expanding Presence in Self-Driving Transport In London.

Other firms, including Uber and the British tech company Wayve, have additionally announced their own strategies to pilot driverless taxis in the city next year.

This is in response to the British government announcing it would speed up rules enabling public trials to occur before laws enabling driverless transport is enacted in full.

“I am thrilled that Waymo aims to launch their technology to London next year, under our suggested piloting scheme,” said the transport secretary, the secretary.

“Boosting the AV industry will enhance available travel alternatives while also generating jobs, funding, and opportunities to the UK. Advanced funding like this will assist in achieving our goal to be global pioneers in new technology and lead countrywide development.”

Complete Rollout Projected After Regulatory Framework Is Enforced.

A broader rollout of driverless taxis is expected in the UK after the Automated Vehicles Act is fully implemented in late 2027.

The Company's Existing Connections in the UK and Beyond.

Waymo currently has links to the UK after establishing its pioneering European engineering hub in Oxford in 2019.

It is furthermore starting operations in Tokyo using JLR EVs, marking its only other current venture outside the US.

“We've demonstrated how to responsibly scale fully autonomous taxi services, and we look forward to expand the benefits of our technology to the Britain,” remarked Waymo's co-chief executive, noting that the system was “making roads safer and transportation more inclusive”.

Demonstrated Experience in the US.

Waymo began its driverless taxis in 2020 and currently reports it has carried over ten million riders in the United States.

In spite of some concerning occurrences, Waymo asserted that data revealed that cars controlled by drivers were associated with crashes that harmed pedestrians 12 times more often than its self-driving cars.