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Waymo Plans Fully Driverless Robotaxi Service in London by Late 2026
Waymo aims to begin fully driverless robotaxi operations in London by late 2026, with testing in 19 boroughs and a 90% reduction in serious crashes reported in US cities.
- This year, Waymo intends to launch a fully driverless ride-hailing service in London by the fourth quarter of 2026, Ben Loewenstein, Waymo's head of policy and government affairs for the UK and Europe, revealed.
- The UK government plans to change rules in the second half of 2026 to allow driverless taxis and supports Waymo through passenger pilots and pro-innovation regulations, Lilian Greenwood said.
- Waymo is mapping London streets with safety drivers during the mapping and data collection phase, using four sensor systems and an onboard computer; an April pilot will let passengers hail robotaxis via the Waymo app once rules permit, excluding airport drop-offs.
- Officials estimate the sector could add �42 billion and create over 2,500 jobs by 2035, as Waymo's entry will intensify UK competition, including with Uber-backed startup Wayve and local partner Moove.
- So far, Waymo has driven 173 million miles fully autonomously and logged 14 million paid Robotaxi rides in 2025, though service disruptions and recalls have increased sanctions of scrutiny.
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Waymo's autonomous taxis are already circulating in central London, passing even alongside Big Ben, as part of a testing program prior to its planned commercial launch by the end of this year. This is the first European deployment of the American company, which seeks to adapt its technology to one of the most complex and congested road networks in the world.Continue reading...
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources135
Leaning Left22Leaning Right13Center58Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Center
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center
L 24%
C 62%
14%
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