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The US-based firm Waymo has announced that its self-driving cabs will be on offer for booking on London's roads beginning next year.

London Becomes Leading European City for Self-Driving Ride-Hailing.

London will become the pioneering European city to host an driverless taxi service, akin to those currently in use in multiple US cities and several American cities using Waymo's advanced technology.

Initial Operations to Commence with Human Specialists.

Waymo announced that its cars are presently heading to London and will begin navigating on the city's public roads in the next few weeks with trained human specialists supervising the vehicles.

The company – originally established as a offshoot from Google's self-driving car project and part of the larger corporate umbrella – explained it would expand services and partner with the Department for Transport and the city's mobility organization to secure the required approvals to offer completely driverless rides by 2026.

Growing Presence in Self-Driving Transport Across London.

Further firms, including Uber and the UK-based technology firm Wayve, have additionally declared their own intentions to trial autonomous taxis in the capital next year.

This follows the British government confirming it would fast-track regulations enabling real-world tests to take place before legislation allowing self-driving vehicles is enacted in full.

“I'm delighted that Waymo aims to introduce their offerings to London next year, under our proposed trial program,” commented the transport secretary, the secretary.

“Boosting the AV market will increase inclusive mobility choices alongside creating work, investment, and possibilities to the UK. Cutting-edge investment like this will help us deliver our goal to be international frontrunners in new technology and drive countrywide development.”

Full Rollout Expected After New Legislation Takes Effect.

A fuller deployment of autonomous vehicles is anticipated in the UK after the new law is fully implemented in 2027.

The Company's Current Presence in the UK and Internationally.

Waymo currently has ties to Britain after launching its inaugural European research base in Oxford in 2019.

The company is also launching operations in Tokyo using Jaguar Land Rover electric vehicles, marking its second existing operation outside the US.

“We've demonstrated how to safely expand fully autonomous ride-hailing, and we look forward to extend the advantages of our technology to the United Kingdom,” stated Tekedra Mawakana, explaining that the technology was “enhancing transport security and mobility more accessible”.

Established Experience in the US.

Waymo launched its driverless cabs in 2020 and presently claims it has served over ten million riders in the United States.

Despite some concerning events, Waymo stated that data demonstrated that cars controlled by drivers were involved in crashes that injured people on foot at a much higher rate than its self-driving vehicles.