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American firm Waymo has revealed that its self-driving vehicles will be on offer for use on London's streets starting next year.

London Becomes First European City for Autonomous Ride-Hailing.

London will emerge as the pioneering European city to host an driverless taxi service, similar to those currently in use in multiple US cities and several American urban centers employing Waymo's advanced platform.

First Trials to Start with Human Specialists.

Waymo stated that its vehicles are presently en route to London and will commence driving on the city's streets in the coming weeks with trained human specialists supervising the vehicles.

The company – originally established as a spin-off from Google's self-driving car project and part of the same parent group – stated it would increase operations and work closely with the Department for Transport and London's transport agency to secure the required approvals to provide completely driverless rides by 2026.

Expanding Interest in Autonomous Transport In London.

Other organizations, such as Uber and the UK-based technology firm Wayve, have likewise revealed their own intentions to pilot autonomous vehicles in the capital next year.

This comes after the government officials announcing it would fast-track regulations permitting real-world tests to occur before legislation supporting driverless transport passes in full.

“I am thrilled that Waymo intends to introduce their offerings to London next year, under our proposed piloting scheme,” commented the government minister, Heidi Alexander.

“Supporting the AV industry will improve available travel alternatives while also bringing jobs, capital, and opportunities to the UK. Cutting-edge funding like this will help us deliver our goal to be global pioneers in advanced innovation and lead countrywide development.”

Full Rollout Expected After New Legislation Takes Effect.

A broader introduction of driverless cabs is projected in the UK after the related legislation comes completely into force in the latter part of 2027.

The Company's Existing Connections in the UK and Internationally.

Waymo presently has connections to Britain after opening its inaugural European technical center in Oxford in 2019.

The company is also launching offerings in Tokyo using Jaguar Land Rover electric vehicles, marking its sole additional current operation outside the US.

“We've demonstrated how to responsibly scale completely driverless taxi services, and we are eager to bring the benefits of our technology to the Britain,” said Tekedra Mawakana, noting that the technology was “making roads safer and mobility more available”.

Established Experience in the US.

Waymo began its self-driving vehicles in 2020 and currently claims it has served more than a vast number of passengers in the United States.

Regardless of some alarming occurrences, Waymo stated that evidence revealed that cars driven by drivers were linked to accidents that injured people on foot 12 times more often than its driverless cars.