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The US-based company Waymo has revealed that its driverless cabs will be on offer for booking on London's thoroughfares beginning next year.

UK Capital Named as Pioneering European City for Self-Driving Taxi Service.

London will emerge as the first European city to host an autonomous taxi service, similar to those already in use in multiple US cities and several American urban centers employing Waymo's cutting-edge systems.

Preliminary Trials to Start with Human Specialists.

Waymo stated that its cars are now en route to London and will start navigating on the capital's roads in the near future with experienced operators in control.

The company – originally created as a derivative from the tech giant's self-driving car project and part of the larger corporate umbrella – stated it would expand activities and work closely with the UK transport authorities and London's transport agency to acquire the required approvals to deliver totally self-driving rides by 2026.

Increasing Interest in Autonomous Mobility In London.

Additional organizations, including Uber and the British tech company Wayve, have also announced their own plans to trial self-driving cabs in the city next year.

This is in response to the UK authorities confirming it would accelerate regulations enabling public trials to occur before legislation enabling autonomous cars is enacted in full.

“It is exciting that Waymo intends to launch their offerings to London next year, under our suggested piloting scheme,” commented the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander.

“Supporting the autonomous vehicle industry will increase accessible transport options while also generating work, investment, and possibilities to the UK. Advanced funding like this will help us deliver our mission to be international frontrunners in new technology and spearhead countrywide development.”

Full Launch Expected After Regulatory Framework Comes into Force.

A fuller introduction of driverless taxis is projected in the UK after the Automated Vehicles Act comes completely into force in the latter part of 2027.

Waymo's Existing Ties in the United Kingdom and Internationally.

Waymo already has connections to Britain after establishing its inaugural European research base in Oxford in 2019.

The company is furthermore introducing services in Tokyo using Jaguar Land Rover electric vehicles, marking its sole additional present operation beyond the US.

“We've demonstrated how to safely expand totally self-driving transport solutions, and we look forward to extend the advantages of our systems to the Britain,” stated the company executive, noting that the technology was “enhancing transport security and transportation more inclusive”.

Established Experience in the US.

Waymo launched its self-driving vehicles in 2020 and presently states it has transported in excess of ten million passengers in the United States.

Despite some troubling events, Waymo indicated that data revealed that vehicles operated by people were associated with incidents that injured walkers significantly more frequently than its self-driving cars.