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

UK Capital Named as First European City for Self-Driving Ride-Hailing.

London will become the first European city to introduce an driverless taxi service, akin to those currently in use in San Francisco and several American cities using Waymo's advanced platform.

First Testing Phase to Commence with Safety Drivers.

Waymo confirmed that its vehicles are now en route to London and will commence driving on the city's public roads in the coming weeks with safety drivers supervising the vehicles.

Waymo – initially created as a offshoot from the tech giant's autonomous vehicle initiative and part of the Alphabet family – indicated it would increase activities and work closely with the government transport body and London's transport agency to acquire the essential approvals to deliver completely driverless services by 2026.

Growing Presence in Self-Driving Transport Across London.

Additional organizations, including Uber and the British tech company Wayve, have also declared their own strategies to test autonomous cabs in the city next year.

This follows the British government stating it would speed up rules enabling real-world tests to take place before laws allowing driverless transport is enacted in full.

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

“Strengthening the autonomous vehicle industry will improve inclusive transport options alongside generating employment, investment, and opportunities to the UK. Innovative funding like this will support our goal to be global pioneers in new technology and lead national renewal.”

Comprehensive Rollout Projected After New Legislation Takes Effect.

A fuller deployment of self-driving taxis is projected in the UK after the Automated Vehicles Act comes completely into force in the latter part of 2027.

The Company's Established Presence in the UK and Internationally.

Waymo already has ties to Britain after opening its inaugural European research base in Oxford in 2019.

It is also introducing services in Tokyo using Jaguar Land Rover electric vehicles, marking its only other current operation outside the United States.

“Evidence confirms how to effectively grow completely driverless ride-hailing, and we look forward to expand the positive impacts of our technology to the Britain,” remarked Tekedra Mawakana, explaining that the technology was “enhancing transport security and travel more available”.

Demonstrated Track Record in the US.

Waymo introduced its autonomous vehicles in 2020 and now states it has carried over 10 million passengers in the United States.

Regardless of some concerning incidents, Waymo indicated that statistics revealed that cars controlled by people were linked to accidents that hurt pedestrians 12 times more often than its self-driving cars.