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American company Waymo has announced that its self-driving taxis will be available for use on London's thoroughfares beginning next year.

London Becomes First European City for Autonomous Taxi Service.

The UK capital will emerge as the inaugural European city to host an driverless taxi service, comparable with those already operational in multiple US cities and four other American locations utilizing Waymo's advanced systems.

Initial Operations to Start with Safety Drivers.

Waymo stated that its fleet are presently heading to London and will start navigating on the city's roads in the coming weeks with experienced operators behind the wheel.

The company – originally formed as a derivative from the tech giant's autonomous vehicle project and belonging to the larger corporate umbrella – stated it would expand operations and partner with the UK transport authorities and the city's mobility organization to acquire the required permissions to offer completely driverless services by 2026.

Increasing Presence in Self-Driving Transport In London.

Additional companies, such as Uber and the British technology firm Wayve, have likewise revealed their own strategies to test self-driving cabs in the capital next year.

This comes after the UK authorities stating it would fast-track rules permitting public trials to take place before regulation supporting driverless transport becomes law in full.

“I'm delighted that Waymo intends to launch their technology to London next year, under our planned piloting scheme,” commented the government minister, Heidi Alexander.

“Strengthening the autonomous vehicle market will increase inclusive transport options alongside generating work, funding, and prospects to the UK. Advanced support like this will support our goal to be global pioneers in new technology and spearhead national renewal.”

Full Rollout Expected After Automated Vehicles Act Takes Effect.

A more extensive introduction of driverless taxis is anticipated in the UK after the Automated Vehicles Act fully takes effect in late 2027.

Waymo's Existing Presence in the UK and Beyond.

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

The company is furthermore starting operations in Tokyo using Jaguar Land Rover eco-friendly cars, marking its only other existing operation outside the United States.

“Evidence confirms how to effectively grow totally self-driving transport solutions, and we can’t wait to expand the positive impacts of our systems to the Britain,” stated Tekedra Mawakana, explaining that the technology was “making roads safer and mobility more available”.

Proven Track Record in the US.

Waymo began its autonomous cabs in 2020 and presently reports it has carried more than ten million passengers in the United States.

In spite of some alarming occurrences, Waymo stated that data revealed that vehicles driven by people were associated with incidents that harmed walkers significantly more frequently than its self-driving cars.