TECH NEWS – “Like a fairground attraction,” is how the situation has been described as Waymo pushes to establish a strong presence in London, while the arrival of robotaxis continues to stir debate. Taxi unions and companies such as Uber are not supportive of the move.
The wave of autonomous taxis is now preparing to reach London, one of Europe’s key urban centers. For years, industry coverage has centered on the opportunities this technology offers in the United States, but attention is increasingly shifting to its global footprint. All signs indicate that Waymo’s fleet could appear in the British capital in the final months of 2026.
To evaluate how its self-driving systems handle the city, Waymo plans to roll out 24 sensor-equipped Jaguars to navigate London’s streets and absorb its specific conditions. Unlike certain locations in the United States, London features dense pedestrian crossings, historic road layouts, impatient foot traffic, and unwritten cultural habits that artificial intelligence struggles to interpret, which has led the company to slightly adjust its deployment timeline.
When Will Robotaxis Arrive in London?
The project is currently moving forward, but its execution depends on the detailed provisions of the 2024 Automated Vehicles Act, since additional regulations are required to enable immediate rollout. Some local outlets suggest that a passenger trial could begin in the spring, effectively serving as a public beta stage ahead of full deployment.
Waymo is aiming for the final quarter of the year as the critical window to launch the service, provided UK regulators authorize the operation. Transport for London, aware of the public attention surrounding the plan, has taken a cautious stance on matters such as safety, traffic flow, and accessibility, while the government argues that initiatives like this can help reduce accident rates.
On the opposing side, the taxi drivers’ union has voiced strong objections and labeled the project a “fairground attraction,” highlighting that the dispute is as political as it is technological. Waymo and Uber, both active in London’s transport ecosystem, have not issued formal comments, though many observers believe they are dissatisfied with the direction of events. The true test, however, will come once Waymo’s vehicles are on London’s roads and it becomes clear whether the system can truly “read” the city.
Source: 3djuegos
