Waymo to Launch Robotaxi Service in London - 2026

Waymo's Expansion into the London Robotaxi Market

Waymo announced on Wednesday its plans to introduce a commercial robotaxi service in London, scheduled for 2026.

This expansion signifies the Alphabet-owned company’s second venture into international markets, following its initial move into Tokyo.

Recent Developments and Background

Speculation regarding Waymo’s London ambitions arose in recent weeks, prompted by several job postings located in London.

The company already maintains a presence in the U.K., having acquired Latent Logic in 2019.

Latent Logic, a startup originating from Oxford University’s computer science department, specializes in imitation learning for enhanced self-driving car simulations.

Following the acquisition, Waymo established an engineering center in Oxford.

Testing and Deployment Strategy

According to a blog post from Waymo, its fleet of all-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles—equipped with autonomous driving technology—will commence operation on London’s roads in the coming weeks.

Initially, these vehicles will operate with human safety drivers present.

This will be followed by driverless testing phases before the service is opened to the public for robotaxi hailing.

This phased approach mirrors Waymo’s strategy in other markets, such as Phoenix and San Francisco.

Operational Details and Partnerships

Specific timelines for removing the human safety driver, and the scale of the initial testing fleet, have not yet been disclosed.

Ethan Teicher, a Waymo spokesperson, confirmed the company’s intention to launch a self-driving car service for public use in the following year.

The full launch in 2026 is contingent upon the U.K. government completing its approval process for these operations.

Fleet Management and Collaboration

Waymo is increasingly relying on partnerships to manage the complexities of operating a robotaxi service.

In London, Moove will be responsible for fleet operations, mirroring their existing collaboration in Phoenix.

Similarly, in Austin and Atlanta, Uber shares responsibilities for fleet ownership and operation.

Uber handles charging, maintenance, cleaning, and access management through its app.

Waymo, in turn, focuses on the technology, autonomous operations, roadside assistance, and rider support.

Expansion and Future Plans

Over the past two years, Waymo has significantly expanded its testing and commercial operations.

The company now operates in multiple U.S. cities, including Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, beyond its initial base in Phoenix.

Future plans include launching commercial robotaxi services in Miami, Nashville, and Washington, DC.