Waymo to Launch Robotaxi Service in London by 2026

Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving division, is expanding its global footprint. The company has announced plans to launch a commercial robotaxi service in London by 2026, marking its second major international expansion after Tokyo.

The news follows weeks of speculation sparked by new job listings in London. Waymo’s ties to the U.K. date back to 2019, when it acquired Latent Logic, a University of Oxford spinout specializing in imitation learning to improve self-driving simulations. This acquisition also established Waymo’s engineering hub in Oxford, laying the foundation for its latest move.

Testing Begins in London Waymo’s all-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, equipped with advanced self-driving systems, will soon begin testing on public roads in London. Initially, these vehicles will have human safety drivers behind the wheel, ensuring safe and compliant operations. As testing progresses, Waymo plans to transition to fully driverless rides, inviting the public to experience autonomous travel — just as it has done successfully in Phoenix and San Francisco.

Partnerships for Fleet Operations For its London operations, Waymo will collaborate with Moove, the same partner that manages its autonomous fleets in Phoenix. Moove will handle the day-to-day fleet operations — from charging and maintenance to cleaning and logistics — while Waymo will oversee the technology, software, and autonomous systems.

In cities like Austin and Atlanta, Waymo also partners with Uber, sharing responsibilities such as managing fleets and integrating robotaxis into Uber’s app, allowing seamless ride-hailing experiences.

Future of Autonomous Mobility The official launch of the London robotaxi service will depend on the U.K. government’s regulatory approvals, expected in 2026. Once cleared, Londoners could soon hail a driverless Jaguar I-Pace powered by Waymo’s technology.

Waymo has steadily expanded its testing and operations across the U.S., now active in Phoenix, Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with upcoming plans for Miami, Nashville, and Washington D.C.

As global demand for autonomous transportation accelerates, Waymo’s expansion into London marks another milestone in its mission to make safe, sustainable, and fully autonomous travel accessible to all.