Waymo Begins Autonomous Driving Tests in London With Safety Drivers
- Waymo has started operating vehicles in London with a trained specialist behind the wheel as part of its next expansion phase.
- The move is part of its plan to bring a fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the UK later this year.
Waymo has entered the next phase of its London expansion, beginning autonomous driving with a trained specialist behind the wheel. The move is part of its plan to bring a fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the UK later this year.
In a social post, the company said it is investing in the UK by hiring talent, establishing multiple AV service centers across London, and strengthening relationships with emergency services.
London is a complex urban landscape for Waymo, and it intends for its technology to complement and enhance the city’s transportation network. The company now reports providing hundreds of thousands of weekly trips across major U.S. cities as it prepares to expand its service.
🌀 Tom’s Take:
Waymo is planting a flag in one of the world’s toughest urban environments. If it can go fully driverless in London, it opens the door to scaling across Europe.
