This is a historic first for the Old Continent: Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous driving subsidiary (Google's parent company), has begun testing its driverless vehicles on the public roads of London. According to TechCrunch, the first tests started on April 14, 2026, marking the arrival of the first robotaxi service in Europe.

A Strategic London Market

London represents a demanding testing ground for Waymo: driving on the left, unpredictable weather, and a complex, dense road network. The Californian company, already present in San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin, considers the British capital a stepping stone to the entire European market. The vehicles, equipped with LiDAR sensors and high-resolution cameras, are currently operating with a safety operator on board.

A Favorable Regulatory Framework

The United Kingdom adopted the Automated Vehicles Act in late 2025, a legislative framework among the most advanced in the world for autonomous vehicles. This text clarifies responsibilities in case of accidents and creates an authorization regime for commercial operators. Waymo aims for a commercial launch in London by the end of 2026.

The Global Race for Autonomy

This European breakthrough comes as competition intensifies: China's Baidu already operates robotaxis in Wuhan and Beijing, and Cruise (General Motors) is preparing its return after a suspension in 2024. In France, the regulatory framework remains more restrictive, but experiments are underway with autonomous shuttles in several cities.