Waymo has started robotaxi testing in London and aims to launch the service in 2026. Waymo officially announced that it has started testing in London; This move clearly shows how the company is accelerating in expanding its robotaxi service beyond US borders. Effectively, London becomes Waymo’s second international foothold, following Tokyo, where driverless rides have moved from staged demonstrations to real roads.
The prominent element here is tempo. According to the announcement, the company aims to launch its robotaxi service in the British capital in 2026 at the earliest. For a market where regulations, infrastructure and traffic behavior are markedly different from the US, this timetable points to an accelerated rollout strategy: starting with cautious trials, then moving decisively to the commercial model.
The map may expand further soon. It is reported that Toronto is on the table as the next possible stop; This suggests Waymo has put together a short list of cities where it can apply the same plan from the pilot phase to daily rides.
If the 2026 target is met, the opening in London will go beyond a symbolic entrance. This step is a practical test of how mature autonomous driving has become in a complex urban environment.
Automobile Magazine – English
