Waymo Begins Testing Self-Driving Jaguar I‑Pace SUVs in London
- Safer Highways
- Jan 20
- 1 min read
Waymo has launched trials of fully autonomous Jaguar I‑Pace SUVs in London, marking the first use of its driverless vehicles in the UK. The tests are part of a government-backed pilot scheme aimed at accelerating the rollout of autonomous technology on British roads.
The US-based company, which operates self-driving taxi services across six US states and recently expanded into Japan, is among the early participants in the programme. Uber is expected to join in the spring, pairing with mapping company Wayve to trial its own driverless fleet.
The pilot allows both Waymo and Uber to operate autonomous vehicles ahead of planned UK legislation, which is not expected until the latter half of next year. Transport Minister Heidi Alexander said last year:
“Cutting-edge investment like this will help us deliver our mission to be world-leaders in new technology and spearhead national renewal that delivers real change in our communities.”
Industry observers have welcomed the move, citing potential benefits such as improved road safety and increased accessibility. Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana added:
“We are making roads safer and transportation more accessible where we operate.”
Road Safety GB has highlighted that autonomous vehicles could reduce collisions by eliminating human error, while the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) described the London trials as a “landmark” moment for the UK. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the introduction of self-driving cars demonstrates how regulatory ambitions are translating into real-world changes in urban transport.
Waymo, which maintains engineering hubs in London and Oxford, stated that its services are designed to support London’s transport priorities, paving the way for safer, more efficient urban travel.
waymo testing fully autonomous ipaces in london feels like a big step, but i still want clarity on what happens when the car hits an edge case in heavy rain or roadworks. the safety claims sound promising, yet independent reporting of disengagements and near-misses should be part of the pilot from day one. also, the last time i was reading about these trials on a mobile connection, two weird sites popped up in my feed alongside the article: https://hindiroulette.com/ and https://redbarongame.org/demo/ which is a reminder that public comms around avs needs to be clean and trustworthy. i’m curious how national highways and local authorities will coordinate temporary traffic management so these vehicles can handle real-world diversions without confusing other drivers.