Waymo to Roll Out Driverless Cars in London by 2026

Waymo, Google’s autonomous‑vehicle arm, plans to have its self‑driving cars fully operational in London by the end of 2026, pending regulator approval. Test vehicles are already on London streets, currently 24 in operation under human drivers, and the company is mapping 19 of the city's boroughs. A three‑phase rollout is planned: data collection, safety‑driver testing and then true driverless service. Waymo says riders could be available later in 2026 if government licences are granted. Minister Lilian Greenwood MP welcomed the rollout, stressing safety and regulation. The company boasts superior safety records, citing lower injury rates than human drivers, and claims its sensors deliver a “super‑human” field of view. Comparisons are drawn to its 1,000‑car fleet in San Francisco and 700 in Los Angeles.