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The US-based company Waymo has revealed that its autonomous cabs will be on offer for use on London's thoroughfares starting next year.

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

London will become the pioneering European city to introduce an driverless taxi service, similar to those already operational in multiple US cities and several American urban centers using Waymo's cutting-edge technology.

First Trials to Commence with Human Specialists.

Waymo stated that its cars are currently heading to London and will commence navigating on the capital's streets in the coming weeks with trained human specialists in control.

The company – originally formed as a spin-off from Google's self-driving car program and part of the larger corporate umbrella – indicated it would increase operations and partner with the government transport body and London's transport agency to acquire the essential permissions to offer fully autonomous services by 2026.

Increasing Presence in Self-Driving Mobility In London.

Other organizations, such as Uber and the UK-based technology firm Wayve, have additionally announced their own strategies to trial self-driving taxis in the city next year.

This is in response to the government officials stating it would accelerate regulations permitting public trials to proceed before legislation supporting autonomous cars passes in full.

“I am thrilled that Waymo intends to introduce their services to London next year, under our planned piloting scheme,” commented the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander.

“Boosting the AV sector will improve accessible mobility choices alongside generating work, funding, and possibilities to the UK. Advanced investment like this will assist in achieving our objective to be world leaders in new technology and lead national renewal.”

Full Rollout Expected After Automated Vehicles Act Is Enforced.

A broader rollout of driverless taxis is expected in the UK after the Automated Vehicles Act fully takes effect in 2027.

The Company's Current Connections in the United Kingdom and Internationally.

Waymo currently has links to Britain after opening its inaugural European engineering hub in Oxford in 2019.

It is also launching operations in Tokyo using Jaguar Land Rover eco-friendly cars, marking its only other current operation beyond the United States.

“Evidence confirms how to responsibly scale totally self-driving transport solutions, and we look forward to bring the positive impacts of our systems to the UK,” said Waymo's co-chief executive, adding that the technology was “enhancing transport security and mobility more accessible”.

Proven History in the US.

Waymo introduced its driverless taxis in 2020 and now claims it has carried in excess of 10 million customers in the United States.

Regardless of some troubling occurrences, Waymo indicated that data showed that cars operated by drivers were involved in accidents that harmed walkers 12 times more often than its driverless fleet.