Wemore plans to launch a driverless taxi service in London

Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, is the latest international entrant in the driverless ride service sector with its robotaxi offering. However, the company must first obtain approval from the UK government.
 

According to an Associated Press report, on Wednesday, October 15, Waymo announced plans to begin testing its self-driving cars on London’s streets within the next few weeks. Initially, a human “safety driver” will be behind the steering wheel as the company seeks official government authorization for the service.
 

Waymo stated that over the coming months, it will lay the groundwork for its London operations. The company will continue engaging with local and national leaders to secure the necessary permissions for commercial ride-hailing services.

Waymo has been operating its driverless taxis in the United States for several years, currently serving cities such as Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin.
 

Earlier this year, before London, Waymo also took its first step toward international expansion by partnering with local firms to conduct tests in Japan, although no launch date for commercial service there has been set.
 

Before launching in London, Waymo must undergo several trials and comply with the UK’s new regulations for autonomous vehicles. These rules require that self-driving cars meet safety standards “at least equal to careful and competent human drivers” and pass stringent safety tests. Additionally, Waymo must follow Transport for London’s regulations, which oversee licensing for the city’s traditional black cabs and other taxi operators like Uber.
 

If successful in testing, Waymo could participate in a government-planned pilot program in spring 2026 for “smaller-scale” autonomous taxi and bus services.