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US-based company Waymo has announced its driverless taxis will be available for hire on London’s roads next year.

The capital will become the first European city to have an automated taxi service of the kind now available in San Francisco and four other US cities using Waymo’s technology.

Waymo said its vehicles will start trials in London shortly with trained human safety drivers behind the wheel.

The firm – originally formed as a spin-off from Google’s self-driving car programme – will work closely with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) to obtain the necessary permissions to offer fully autonomous rides in 2026.

Uber and the UK tech company Wayve have also announced plans to trial driverless taxis in London next year.

It comes after the government announced it will fast-track pilot taxi- and bus-like passenger self-driving schemes, before a broader rollout of the technology when the Automated Vehicles Act fully takes effect in late 2027.

Mike Hawes, SMMTChief Executive, said: “The anticipated arrival of self-driving cars in London next year is a landmark moment, tangibly translating the ambition of Britain’s advanced regulatory framework into a social and mobility revolution.

“With the right legislation in place, we will be well-positioned to unlock the benefits of automated vehicles – safer roads, high-quality job creation, more efficient logistics, and economic growth.

“The automotive industry will continue to work closely with government to ensure safe and responsible rollout of these technologies, keeping Britain at the forefront of global innovation and expanding access to mobility for all.”