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The US-based enterprise Waymo has revealed that its autonomous taxis will be available for booking on London's thoroughfares beginning next year.

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

The UK capital will become the first European city to launch an driverless taxi service, akin to those already operational in multiple US cities and four other American locations employing Waymo's cutting-edge systems.

Preliminary Testing Phase to Commence with Human Specialists.

Waymo announced that its cars are presently heading to London and will start navigating on the capital's roads in the coming weeks with experienced operators behind the wheel.

The company – originally formed as a spin-off from Google's autonomous vehicle initiative and part of the same parent group – stated it would scale up operations and work closely with the UK transport authorities and Transport for London to obtain the required licenses to offer completely driverless trips by 2026.

Growing Presence in Autonomous Transport Across London.

Further companies, including Uber and the UK-based tech company Wayve, have also declared their own plans to test autonomous cabs in the city next year.

This comes after the government officials stating it would speed up regulations enabling public trials to proceed before regulation allowing autonomous cars becomes law in full.

“I'm delighted that Waymo intends to launch their technology to London next year, under our proposed piloting scheme,” said the government minister, Heidi Alexander.

“Strengthening the AV sector will enhance available mobility choices while also generating employment, funding, and prospects to the UK. Advanced investment like this will assist in achieving our objective to be global pioneers in new technology and spearhead economic growth.”

Full Launch Projected After New Legislation Comes into Force.

A broader rollout of self-driving taxis is projected in the UK after the new law comes completely into force in late 2027.

Waymo's Established Connections in the UK and Internationally.

Waymo presently has ties to the UK after establishing its pioneering European engineering hub in Oxford in 2019.

It is additionally launching services in Tokyo using JLR electric vehicles, marking its only other present venture beyond the US.

“Our experience shows how to safely expand totally self-driving transport solutions, and we look forward to extend the positive impacts of our technology to the Britain,” remarked Waymo's co-chief executive, noting that the system was “enhancing transport security and transportation more available”.

Proven Experience in the US.

Waymo introduced its autonomous cabs in 2020 and now reports it has carried over ten million passengers in the United States.

Regardless of some concerning incidents, Waymo asserted that statistics showed that vehicles controlled by humans were involved in accidents that harmed walkers at a much higher rate than its driverless cars.