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The US-based firm Waymo has announced that its driverless vehicles will be on offer for use on London's streets beginning next year.

UK Capital Named as First European City for Autonomous Cab Service.

London will be established as the pioneering European city to host an self-driving taxi service, akin to those currently in use in San Francisco and several American urban centers utilizing Waymo's cutting-edge systems.

Preliminary Trials to Begin with Human Specialists.

Waymo stated that its fleet are currently en route to London and will begin operating on the capital's streets in the next few weeks with safety drivers supervising the vehicles.

Waymo – initially formed as a derivative from the tech giant's autonomous vehicle program and belonging to the Alphabet family – stated it would increase operations and partner with the UK transport authorities and the city's mobility organization to obtain the required licenses to offer totally self-driving trips by 2026.

Growing Interest in Self-Driving Transport Across London.

Other organizations, such as Uber and the UK-based tech company Wayve, have additionally revealed their own plans to trial driverless taxis in the capital next year.

This follows the UK authorities confirming it would accelerate regulations allowing public testing to proceed before legislation supporting driverless transport becomes law in full.

“It is exciting that Waymo plans to launch their services to London next year, under our planned testing initiative,” said the government minister, the secretary.

“Supporting the autonomous vehicle industry will enhance inclusive mobility choices in addition to creating jobs, investment, and opportunities to the UK. Innovative funding like this will support our mission to be international frontrunners in emerging tech and drive countrywide development.”

Comprehensive Rollout Expected After New Legislation Takes Effect.

A broader rollout of driverless taxis is projected in the UK after the Automated Vehicles Act comes completely into force in 2027.

Waymo's Established Connections in the UK and Internationally.

Waymo presently has ties to the UK after opening its pioneering European technical center in Oxford in 2019.

The company is also starting services in Tokyo using JLR eco-friendly cars, marking its sole additional present project beyond the United States.

“We've demonstrated how to effectively grow totally self-driving transport solutions, and we are eager to expand the benefits of our technology to the UK,” said the company executive, explaining that the technology was “enhancing transport security and travel more accessible”.

Established Track Record in the US.

Waymo introduced its autonomous vehicles in 2020 and presently reports it has carried over 10 million customers in the United States.

Regardless of some troubling occurrences, Waymo stated that data revealed that cars driven by humans were associated with crashes that hurt pedestrians at a much higher rate than its self-driving fleet.