Driverless Cars Poised to Hit London Streets as Waymo Prepares Public Trials

Driverless vehicles are expected to appear on London’s roads later this year as Waymo moves from testing to public trials.

While the technology has advanced rapidly, questions remain over how quickly autonomous cars can transition from the test phase to everyday transport in one of the world’s busiest cities—and whether the London rollout can serve as a model for other urban areas.

Waymo, the self-driving car division of Google’s parent company Alphabet, has confirmed plans to open its service to passengers, aiming for full operations by the end of 2026, with a potential September launch pending regulatory approval.

Currently, around 24 Waymo vehicles are operating on London streets, but human drivers remain behind the wheel. This stage focuses on mapping and data collection to help the cars develop a comprehensive understanding of the city’s road network.

The next phase involves testing with a safety driver present, in line with the government’s code of practice for autonomous vehicles. Only after this step will the cars operate fully autonomously, carrying passengers without a human driver.

“Our aim is to launch for riders later this year, contingent on government approvals,” said Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher. The company plans a pilot service in April, supported by government-backed initiatives designed to encourage innovation in autonomous transport.

Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood highlighted the potential benefits, noting that automated vehicles could improve urban road safety. “Unlike human drivers, self-driving cars don’t get tired, distracted, or drive under the influence,” she said. She also emphasized that strict safety standards, including protection against cyber threats, must be met before autonomous vehicles are cleared for UK roads.

The UK government estimates the autonomous vehicle sector could contribute £42 billion to the economy by 2035 and create nearly 40,000 jobs, making it a major growth opportunity for the nation’s transport and technology industries.

Once regulations allow, passengers will be able to book Waymo robotaxis through an app, though airport drop-offs will not be included initially. The cars use a combination of lidar, radar, cameras, and microphones to monitor their surroundings. A high-powered onboard computer processes this data in real time, enabling the vehicle to detect objects at long distances—even in poor weather—and respond appropriately.

Competition in the UK is expected to be strong. Uber and Lyft have also announced plans to launch robotaxi services once regulations permit, with Waymo operating Jaguars and the other firms partnering with Baidu.

Waymo’s vehicles have already logged 173 million miles of fully autonomous driving, primarily in the United States, with a fleet of 1,000 robotaxis in San Francisco and 700 in Los Angeles. This experience is expected to help facilitate a smoother introduction in London once the regulatory green light is given.