Waymo and Wayve Driverless Taxis Hit London Streets in 2024

London, renowned for its labyrinthine streets and assertive pedestrians, is set to welcome driverless taxis from Waymo and Wayve. Waymo, owned by Alphabet, is currently testing 100 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles with safety drivers, with a full service launch planned for late 2026. Meanwhile, UK startup Wayve, partnering with Uber, aims to commence commercial operations this year before expanding to Tokyo and the US markets.

The companies’ technological approaches differ: Waymo relies on traditional robotics, leveraging 3D maps, LiDAR, and sensors, while Wayve employs neural network models trained on vast datasets. However, both must address London-specific challenges, including complex junctions, irregular street grids, high pedestrian density, and frequent roadworks. Wayve representatives note that London has 20 times more construction sites and 10 times more vulnerable road users than San Francisco.

UK regulators are supportive of autonomous vehicle adoption, streamlining testing and deployment for companies. London was selected as Waymo’s first European city due to high demand for transport services and clear municipal goals for safety and mobility. However, local taxi drivers, traditionally skeptical of new competitors, may respond ambivalently to driverless taxis—echoing reactions to Uber’s arrival.