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The US-based firm Waymo has revealed that its driverless cabs will be operational for hire on London's thoroughfares starting next year.

London Becomes Leading European City for Autonomous Taxi Service.

London will be established as the first European city to launch an autonomous taxi service, akin to those already operational in multiple US cities and several American cities utilizing Waymo's advanced platform.

Initial Trials to Commence with Human Specialists.

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

The company – initially created as a derivative from Google's autonomous vehicle program and part of the Alphabet family – explained it would expand activities and collaborate with the government transport body and Transport for London to obtain the required licenses to offer totally self-driving trips by 2026.

Expanding Presence in Autonomous Transport In London.

Further companies, such as Uber and the UK-based tech company Wayve, have also revealed their own intentions to trial self-driving taxis in the capital next year.

This follows the government officials stating it would speed up guidelines enabling real-world tests to take place before laws allowing self-driving vehicles is enacted in full.

“I'm delighted that Waymo aims to bring their offerings to London next year, under our proposed testing initiative,” commented the official, Heidi Alexander.

“Strengthening the AV sector will improve available transport options in addition to bringing employment, capital, and prospects to the UK. Innovative support like this will assist in achieving our goal to be international frontrunners in new technology and spearhead economic growth.”

Full Introduction Expected After Regulatory Framework Is Enforced.

A fuller rollout of driverless vehicles is projected in the UK after the related legislation fully takes effect in 2027.

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

Waymo currently has links to Britain after establishing its pioneering European research base in Oxford in 2019.

It is also introducing operations in Tokyo using JLR electric vehicles, marking its sole additional present operation beyond the US.

“Evidence confirms how to safely expand totally self-driving ride-hailing, and we look forward to expand the advantages of our technology to the Britain,” said the company executive, adding that the technology was “making roads safer and transportation more accessible”.

Demonstrated Track Record in the United States.

Waymo introduced its driverless taxis in 2020 and now claims it has served more than ten million customers in the US.

Despite some alarming incidents, Waymo indicated that data revealed that cars controlled by drivers were involved in crashes that hurt people on foot 12 times more often than its self-driving vehicles.