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American company Waymo has announced that its driverless vehicles will be on offer for hire on London's roads beginning next year.

London Becomes Leading European City for Self-Driving Taxi Service.

The UK capital will be established as the pioneering European city to host an self-driving taxi service, similar to those currently in use in multiple US cities and four other American locations using Waymo's cutting-edge systems.

Initial Operations to Begin with Safety Drivers.

Waymo announced that its vehicles are now en route to London and will begin driving on the capital's streets in the near future with trained human specialists supervising the vehicles.

Waymo – originally formed as a derivative from the tech giant's autonomous vehicle project and belonging to the Alphabet family – explained it would increase operations and work closely with the Department for Transport and Transport for London to obtain the essential licenses to offer fully autonomous services by 2026.

Growing Presence in Autonomous Mobility Across London.

Additional companies, including Uber and the British technology firm Wayve, have likewise announced their own plans to trial driverless cabs in the capital next year.

This comes after the British government confirming it would fast-track rules allowing public testing to proceed before legislation allowing driverless transport is enacted in full.

“I am thrilled that Waymo plans to bring their offerings to London next year, under our suggested piloting scheme,” said the government minister, the secretary.

“Boosting the AV sector will increase available travel alternatives alongside bringing jobs, funding, and opportunities to the UK. Cutting-edge support like this will assist in achieving our mission to be world leaders in advanced innovation and spearhead economic growth.”

Comprehensive Introduction Projected After Automated Vehicles Act Comes into Force.

A fuller introduction of driverless taxis is projected in the UK after the new law fully takes effect in late 2027.

Waymo's Established Connections in the United Kingdom and Beyond.

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

It is furthermore introducing operations in Tokyo using Jaguar Land Rover electric vehicles, marking its only other current venture beyond the US.

“Our experience shows how to responsibly scale fully autonomous ride-hailing, and we look forward to extend the positive impacts of our platform to the UK,” said Tekedra Mawakana, noting that the technology was “making roads safer and mobility more available”.

Proven History in the US.

Waymo launched its self-driving cabs in 2020 and currently states it has served over a vast number of customers in the United States.

Despite some concerning events, Waymo stated that data demonstrated that cars controlled by humans were involved in crashes that hurt people on foot at a much higher rate than its driverless cars.