Motorists could see self-driving cars launched throughout the UK as soon as September, after a major operator announced ambitious plans.
Waymo, the American autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, has revealed its intention to begin operating a fully driverless taxi service in the capital as soon as September this year.
The firm‘s head of policy and Government affairs for the UK and Europe, Ben Loewenstein, outlined this timeline during a presentation in London on Wednesday.
Before the commercial launch, Waymo said it intends to commence a pilot programme in April, allowing the company to test its technology with passengers under controlled conditions.
Currently, the firm’s vehicles have been mapping London’s streets with safety drivers behind the wheel, gathering detailed data of the city’s road network. Once the service opens to paying customers, these robotaxis will operate without a human driver.
Despite this, recent research found that 73 per cent of drivers “wouldn’t be comfortable” using a driverless taxi, while 42 per cent said they would not feel comfortable “at all”.
Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, said: “While there‘s clear excitement in the industry about what driverless taxis can offer, it‘s clear that firms like Waymo have some way to go before they win the hearts and minds of users.
“For any firm operating a driverless taxi, they’ll need to prove how effective – and safe – the system can be before trust is truly earned here in the UK.”
The US brand hopes to bring in its self-driving technology to the UK by September
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GETTY
The Government indicated it will amend regulations during the latter half of 2026 to permit autonomous taxis to operate in London, though no precise date has been confirmed.
Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood attended Waymo’s showcase event at London‘s Transport Museum, where the company displayed a fleet of vehicles it had brought to Britain.
She said: “We’re supporting Waymo and other operators through our passenger pilots, and pro-innovation regulations to make self-driving cars a reality on British roads.
“We know that unlike human drivers, automated vehicles don’t get tired, don’t get distracted and don’t drive under the influence.”
However, the Labour MP emphasised that self-driving cars must satisfy rigorous safety requirements, including “protection from hacking and cyber threats” before receiving approval for UK roads.
Self-driving taxis are already being used across the United States | GETTY
Waymo’s robotaxis utilise four sensor systems to perceive their environment: lidar, cameras, radar, and microphones. This enables 360-degree awareness extending up to three football pitches ahead, functioning effectively even in adverse weather conditions.
A high-powered computer housed in the vehicle’s boot processes all incoming data and determines driving decisions in real time.
Regarding fares, a company spokesperson indicated that pricing would be “competitive” but “premium”, with costs increasing during periods of high demand.
Initially, the service will not offer airport transfers. Passengers will book rides through a smartphone application once regulatory approval is granted.
Waymo will launch in London as early as September
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REUTERSWaymo faces stiff competition in the emerging UK robotaxi market from several major players. Ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft have both announced plans to launch autonomous taxi services in Britain once regulations permit, with both companies opting to partner with Chinese technology firm Baidu for their vehicles.
The Uber-backed British startup Wayve is also anticipated to begin operations in London later this year.
Globally, Tesla presents another significant challenger, with chief executive Elon Musk predicting millions of the company‘s robotaxis will be operating worldwide by the end of 2026.
The autonomous vehicle sector represents a substantial economic opportunity for Britain, with Government estimates suggesting the industry could contribute £42billion to the UK economy by 2035, as well as 38,000 new jobs.
