Waymo Starts Testing Autonomous Robotaxi Fleet in London Ahead of 2026 Launch

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:02:00 +0200

Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company owned by Alphabet, has started testing its self-driving vehicles on public roads in London. This marks a major step toward launching what could become the city’s first commercial robotaxi service later in 2026. The company currently operates a fleet of around 100 all-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, each equipped with the Waymo Driver system and monitored by a human safety operator. Testing is taking place across roughly 100 square miles of London as Waymo refines its technology for local traffic conditions and validates performance on U.K. roads.

The British government must still finalize the regulations governing autonomous trials before Waymo can operate fully driverless vehicles. According to co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov, the company’s core driving AI has been performing well and adapting effectively to the city’s unique traffic environment. Waymo is also increasing its investment in the U.K. by hiring local talent and creating multiple ser