Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving car pioneer, is poised to bring its revolutionary robotaxi service to London in 2026. The company confirmed it will begin operating a fleet of Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs equipped with its advanced autonomous driving technology. This move makes London Waymo’s second international market after Tokyo and the first in Europe.
The rollout will initially feature human safety drivers behind the wheel as the vehicles map and learn complex London roads, from narrow streets to intricate roundabouts, before transitioning to fully driverless operations. The service will be accessible through Waymo's dedicated app, offering Londoners the chance to hail an autonomous ride without a human operator.
Waymo’s deep ties to the UK run beyond just service. Its engineering hubs in London and Oxford play a crucial role in refining the self-driving software, using cutting-edge simulation and machine learning techniques developed in collaboration with local teams.
The UK government has created a supportive regulatory framework, allowing limited autonomous vehicle pilots from spring 2026, though a broader rollout depends on the Automated Vehicles Act set to come into force in 2027. Industry experts hail Waymo’s London launch as a milestone, signaling the start of a new era in urban mobility.
Waymo’s co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating the company is committed to improving road safety and increasing accessibility through autonomous ride-hailing. With millions of miles driven and millions of rides completed in American cities, Waymo’s London debut promises to bring cutting-edge technology and new convenience to the city’s transport network.
Alongside Waymo, other autonomous vehicle initiatives like Uber’s collaboration with Wayve are gearing up for trials in the capital, signaling fierce competition and rapid growth in the driverless taxi sector.
