Asger Risom
Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle company, Waymo, will debut its driverless taxi service in London, marking the first time its robotaxis operate outside the United States.
Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle company, Waymo, will debut its driverless taxi service in London, marking the first time its robotaxis operate outside the United States.
Europe gets its first robotaxis
Waymo has chosen London as the starting point for its European expansion. The move marks a major milestone for autonomous mobility on the continent.
Testing to start in 2025
A controlled pilot program will launch in 2025, with safety drivers onboard. The goal is to gather localized data on traffic, weather, and pedestrian behavior.
Partnering with Moove for rollout
To manage the fleet, Waymo will collaborate with Moove, a UK-based electric vehicle operator. The company will oversee charging, logistics, and maintenance.
Backed by new UK legislation
The UK’s Automated Vehicles Act takes effect in 2027, but allows pilot autonomous services from spring 2026. Waymo’s timing aligns with this legal window.
From Phoenix to London
Waymo launched the world’s first commercial robotaxi service in Phoenix in 2020. It now operates in multiple U.S. cities, completing over 250,000 paid rides weekly.
How the Waymo Driver works
The system uses lidar, radar, and high-resolution cameras powered by AI. Vehicles are pre-mapped and navigate city streets entirely on their own.
The rider experience
Users download the Waymo One app, register, and request a ride. Trips are fully autonomous, with no driver onboard once the service goes live.
10 million autonomous trips and counting
Waymo reports more than 10 million driverless rides and 20 million kilometers of testing. Its safety data claims fewer serious incidents than human drivers.
Pricing still above ride-hailing rivals
Fares vary by city and demand, with prices generally higher than services like Uber or Lyft. Estimates appear in the app at time of booking.
The regulatory roadblock in Europe
Beyond the UK, Waymo faces a patchwork of national rules. The lack of unified EU regulation may slow expansion into other European countries.
The race for driverless dominance
Waymo isn’t alone. Tesla, Uber, and Cruise are all developing robotaxi programs, intensifying the global competition for automated transport.
This article is made and published by Asger Risom, which may have used AI in the preparation
