Oct 16, 2025
Waymo will introduce its robotaxi service in London next year, marking its first entry into the European market.
Waymo is set to launch its driverless ride-hailing service in London next year, marking its second international expansion and first in Europe. The company plans to test a small fleet of vehicles with safety drivers in a 100-square-mile area of London soon, as stated by a spokesperson.
Waymo will collaborate with Moove, supported by Uber Technologies, to manage and maintain the fleet and add more vehicles following U.K. regulatory guidelines. The U.K. government aims to permit commercial self-driving pilots starting in 2026, and Waymo plans to offer its service through its app rather than through Uber or Lyft, as it does in some U.S. cities.
This announcement follows Waymo's testing in Tokyo, where it has been operating on public roads since April in partnership with Japanese taxi services. However, no commercial launch has been announced there yet.
Waymo's intention to deliver its service through its app in London positions it to compete with Uber and other ride-hailing platforms in a significant market. Uber has also announced plans to test fully driverless rides in the U.K. starting in spring 2026, in collaboration with AI startup Wayve Technologies.
Currently, Waymo provides over 250,000 paid trips weekly using about 1,500 vehicles in U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, with plans for further expansion next year. Rather than competing, the company has partnered with ride-hailing apps in some U.S. cities to keep its vehicles engaged.
Waymo has an ongoing relationship with fleet operator Moove, having previously partnered in Phoenix and preparing for a launch in Miami in 2026. Despite facing stringent regulations and high costs, Waymo has gradually expanded in the U.S. and is accelerating its growth through partnerships, particularly as Tesla rolls out its long-promised robotaxi service.
Commercializing autonomous vehicles in the U.S. has been challenging, with several firms, including General Motors' Cruise, facing setbacks due to accidents, recalls, and federal investigations.
Waymo will collaborate with Moove, supported by Uber Technologies, to manage and maintain the fleet and add more vehicles following U.K. regulatory guidelines. The U.K. government aims to permit commercial self-driving pilots starting in 2026, and Waymo plans to offer its service through its app rather than through Uber or Lyft, as it does in some U.S. cities.
This announcement follows Waymo's testing in Tokyo, where it has been operating on public roads since April in partnership with Japanese taxi services. However, no commercial launch has been announced there yet.
Waymo's intention to deliver its service through its app in London positions it to compete with Uber and other ride-hailing platforms in a significant market. Uber has also announced plans to test fully driverless rides in the U.K. starting in spring 2026, in collaboration with AI startup Wayve Technologies.
Currently, Waymo provides over 250,000 paid trips weekly using about 1,500 vehicles in U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, with plans for further expansion next year. Rather than competing, the company has partnered with ride-hailing apps in some U.S. cities to keep its vehicles engaged.
Waymo has an ongoing relationship with fleet operator Moove, having previously partnered in Phoenix and preparing for a launch in Miami in 2026. Despite facing stringent regulations and high costs, Waymo has gradually expanded in the U.S. and is accelerating its growth through partnerships, particularly as Tesla rolls out its long-promised robotaxi service.
Commercializing autonomous vehicles in the U.S. has been challenging, with several firms, including General Motors' Cruise, facing setbacks due to accidents, recalls, and federal investigations.