Alphabet-owned Waymo announced it will launch its driverless ride-hailing service in London next year, its first European operation as the company accelerates its global expansion. The robotaxi firm said it is partnering with Moove to oversee fleet management, charging, and facilities, and is currently working with UK regulators to secure all required approvals.
Waymo vehicles are already heading to the UK capital, where testing with safety drivers will begin before transitioning to full autonomy in 2026. The company currently operates around 1,500 vehicles in U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Austin, completing over 250,000 paid rides each week.
Earlier this year, Waymo began collecting driving data in Tokyo through partnerships with Nihon Kotsu and Go, reflecting its growing international ambitions. The London expansion also comes as Tesla prepares to introduce its long-awaited robotaxi service and Uber plans fully driverless rides in the UK from 2026 in collaboration with British AI startup Wayve.
Although the path to commercializing autonomous vehicles has been complex, with competitors like GM’s Cruise facing safety investigations and recalls, Waymo’s European entry marks a significant milestone for the industry.
