Waymo’s Robotaxis Are Heading to London. Everything to Know About the Self-Driving Service

Self-driving automobiles are slowly turning into much less sci-fi and extra real-world as firms like Waymo, the autonomous arm of Google’s father or mother, Alphabet, broaden into extra cities. And now, Waymo is heading to Europe, beginning with London within the coming weeks. 

On Wednesday, Waymo shared it’s going to begin driving on London roads with people behind the wheel “whereas we lay the groundwork for absolutely autonomous operations,” the corporate stated in a press release. “We are going to scale up primarily based on pointers established by the UK Division for Transport and Transport for London, and work carefully with native and nationwide leaders to safe the mandatory permissions to supply absolutely autonomous rides in 2026.” 

That is Waymo’s second worldwide metropolis, after asserting final 12 months that it is increasing to Tokyo, although passengers cannot hail a experience there simply but. 

Waymo at present operates absolutely autonomous rides for most people in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Austin, Texas, which use the all-electric Jaguar I-Tempo. The autos will be summoned both by way of the Waymo app or Uber, relying on town. 

Waymo’s expansions have ramped up in latest months, with Nashville, New York, Denver and Seattle becoming a member of the roster of upcoming robotaxi areas. In an Aug. 29 weblog put up, Waymo stated it is “coming into a brand new chapter and accelerating our business growth.” You’ll find a full listing of the place Waymo is heading under.

In January, Waymo introduced it will start testing with manually pushed autos in 10 new cities this 12 months, beginning with Las Vegas and San Diego. And in April, it stated it reached a preliminary settlement with Toyota to “discover a collaboration” geared towards creating autonomous driving tech, which may sometime be factored into personally owned autos. 

Waymo’s growth extends to its manufacturing amenities. In Might, the corporate stated it is opening a brand new, 239,000-square-foot autonomous automobile manufacturing unit within the Phoenix space. The plan is so as to add 2,000 extra absolutely autonomous Jaguar I-Tempo autos to its current 1,500-vehicle fleet. Notably, Waymo indicated it obtained its “last supply from Jaguar” earlier this 12 months, because it plans for future iterations of its driverless rides. Waymo added that the “facility’s versatile design” will enable it to combine its upcoming sixth-generation self-driving know-how into new autos, beginning with the all-electric Zeekr RT. 

In October, Waymo additionally introduced that it is partnering with Hyundai to deliver the subsequent technology of its know-how into Ioniq 5 SUVs. Within the years to come back, riders will have the ability to summon these all-electric, autonomous autos utilizing the Waymo app. 

The self-driving firm says it is pushed over 100 million absolutely autonomous miles on public roads and has offered greater than 10 million paid rides. I’ve hailed a number of rides myself in San Francisco and, as off-putting as it will probably appear at first (particularly to see a steering wheel flip by itself), I rapidly adjusted, and it quickly felt like an abnormal experience.

That is to not say there hasn’t been pushback as Waymo rolls out to extra cities. The corporate’s autos have been concerned in a handful of high-profile collisions, together with one with a bicyclist in San Francisco and one other with a towed pickup truck in Phoenix. (Waymo recalled and up to date its software program to handle the problem.) 

Waymo’s Security Affect report notes that over the course of 71 million autonomous miles pushed by March 2025, its Waymo Driver know-how had 88% fewer crashes resulting in critical accidents or worse and 78% fewer injury-causing crashes, in contrast with “a mean human driver over the identical distance in our working cities.” It additionally reported considerably fewer crashes with accidents to pedestrians (93%), cyclists (81%) and motorcyclists (86%).

As Waymo continues to broaden and develop its self-driving tech, this is how and the place to summon the robotaxi should you occur to be in one of many few cities the place the corporate at present operates its fleet. 

Hailing a experience in Phoenix

Phoenix was the primary metropolis to open up absolutely autonomous Waymo rides to the general public, in 2020. To hail a experience, obtain the Waymo app on iOS or Android. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

It’s also possible to use the Uber app to summon one in all Waymo’s autos in Phoenix. Whenever you request an UberX, Uber Inexperienced, Uber Consolation or Uber Consolation Electrical experience, you will have the selection to substantiate a Waymo experience, should you’re matched. 

Along with hailing a experience, you might also have your Uber Eats meal delivered by an autonomous automobile. When putting an order within the Phoenix space, you would possibly get a be aware that “autonomous autos might ship your order.” When the Waymo automobile arrives, take your cellphone with you to pop open the trunk and seize your supply. You may choose out of this throughout checkout should you’d reasonably have a human ship your meals.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport grew to become the primary main airport to supply absolutely autonomous Waymo rides to its terminals. Waymo stated in September 2025 that it has “served lots of of 1000’s of journeys to/from Sky Harbor, and it stays the one hottest Waymo vacation spot in Phoenix.”

Hailing a experience within the San Francisco Bay Space

San Francisco adopted swimsuit after Phoenix, rolling out absolutely autonomous rides in late 2022. It scrapped the ready listing in June 2024, so now anybody can obtain the Waymo app to experience anytime. The service additionally operates 24 hours a day, seven days per week. There’s at present no Uber partnership in San Francisco. 

In August 2024, Waymo expanded its ride-hailing service into the San Francisco Peninsula, and expanded once more in March in order that choose Waymo riders who stay in Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto and elements of Sunnyvale have the choice to hail a robotaxi there, too. In June, it expanded additional into the Peninsula, and its service space now consists of Brisbane, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, Daly Metropolis, Broadmoor and Colma. Choose riders can now additionally entry Mountain View and extra elements of Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

In Might, the California Public Utilities Fee accepted Waymo’s software to function in South Bay and practically all of San Jose, opening up the door to future expansions. 

In early September, San Jose Mineta Worldwide Airport grew to become the primary business airport in California the place Waymo can provide absolutely autonomous rides to its terminals. Waymo says it’s going to begin testing this fall and plans to make rides accessible there later this 12 months.

And in mid-September, Waymo obtained a pilot allow to function commercially at San Francisco Worldwide Airport. The rollout will embrace three phases, starting with an onboard security driver, then transferring onto assessments with no human driver with Waymo and airport staff, and culminating in business operations.   

Hailing a experience in Los Angeles County

In November, Waymo scrapped its waitlist for Los Angeles and started welcoming all public riders by way of the Waymo app. Now any passengers can hop within the robotaxis 24/7 and experience throughout practically 120 sq. miles of LA County, together with Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Inglewood, Silver Lake, Playa del Rey, Ladera Heights, Echo Park and Downtown LA, and alongside all of Sundown Boulevard. 

There’s at present no Uber partnership in Los Angeles.

Hailing a experience in Austin

Riders can hail a Waymo throughout 90 sq. miles of Austin, together with neighborhoods like Crestview, Windsor Park and Franklin Park and areas like The Area and McKinney Falls State Park. There are greater than 100 Waymo autos within the metropolis, with plans for additional growth. 

In Austin, the one technique to hail a Waymo experience is thru Uber — no Waymo app right here. By requesting an UberX, Uber Inexperienced, Uber Consolation or Uber Consolation Electrical, you would be matched with a Waymo automobile — and you will not be upcharged. Should you’d reasonably not take a driverless experience, you will have the choice to change to a regular one. However, if you wish to increase your possibilities of being matched to a self-driving automobile, you possibly can go to Account > Settings > Autonomous autos, then hit the toggle subsequent to Get extra Waymo rides.

Unlock the door, pop open the trunk and begin the experience from the Uber app. You may nonetheless be requested to fee your experience on the finish, however you will not be requested to tip.

If there are any points, riders can entry human help 24/7 by way of the Uber app and from contained in the Waymo automobile (there are screens in the back and front that allow you to rapidly summon buyer help).

As a part of the Uber partnership, Uber will handle duties like automobile cleansing and restore, whereas “Waymo will proceed to be answerable for the testing and operation of the Waymo Driver, together with roadside help and sure rider help features,” the businesses stated. The collaboration ought to make autonomous rides accessible to extra folks, who now will not must obtain a separate app to hitch a experience in a robotaxi.

Hailing a experience in Atlanta

Waymo operates throughout 65 sq. miles of Atlanta, with plans for future expansions. Like in Austin, you possibly can climb aboard a Waymo robotaxi solely by way of the Uber app. Whenever you e book a experience by UberX, Uber Consolation or Uber Consolation Electrical, you is likely to be paired with a Waymo automobile at no extra price. You may have the choice to just accept or decline the driverless experience every time. 

You may unlock the automobile, pop the trunk and begin the journey all from the Uber app, and you’ll entry human help 24/7 by way of the Uber app and from touchscreens contained in the automobile.

If you wish to increase your possibilities of being paired with a Waymo automobile, you possibly can choose in by going to the Uber app, tapping Account > Settings > Autonomous autos (beneath Trip Preferences), after which hitting the toggle subsequent to Get extra Waymo rides.

Upcoming expansions 

London

In mid-October, Waymo stated its autos might be heading to London with “educated human specialists” behind the wheel within the coming weeks, making town its first European location. The corporate added that it is working with “native and nationwide leaders to safe the mandatory permissions to supply absolutely autonomous rides in 2026.”

Nashville

In September, Waymo stated it is partnering with Lyft to broaden to Nashville. Waymo will begin driving within the metropolis autonomously within the “coming months,” earlier than opening to the general public in 2026. Riders will have the ability to hail autos by the Waymo app, and can finally have the choice to be matched with a robotaxi within the Lyft app, too. 

As a part of the collaboration, Lyft will handle the robotaxi fleet, which incorporates automobile upkeep and cleansing, whereas Waymo might be answerable for the self-driving know-how. 

Denver

Waymo is ready to reach in Denver this fall “to put the groundwork for a completely autonomous service sooner or later,” the corporate stated in an early September weblog put up. It’s going to deploy a combined fleet consisting of Jaguar I-Tempo autos with its fifth-generation Waymo Driver in addition to Zeekr RT autos with the sixth-gen Waymo Driver. That newer know-how “is knowledgeable by years of winter climate expertise throughout Michigan, upstate New York, and the Sierra Nevada and engineered to autonomously maintain operations in harsher climates,” Waymo stated.

Seattle

In early September, Waymo shared it is heading to the Seattle metropolitan space, noting in a weblog put up that it “spent years attending to know the realm — from communities across the Lake to its notoriously moist climate.” It isn’t but clear when precisely that service will launch.

Dallas

Waymo is at present conducting early testing in Dallas, with plans to launch public rides by way of the Waymo app subsequent 12 months. The corporate is teaming up with Avis Price range Group, which is able to handle the fleet, together with automobile cleansing and upkeep.

“Our partnership with Waymo marks a pivotal milestone in our evolution, from a rental automobile firm to a number one supplier of fleet administration, infrastructure and operations to the broader mobility ecosystem,” Avis Price range Group CEO Brian Choi stated in a press release. “Collectively, we’re dedicated to creating scaled autonomous mobility a actuality for the folks of Dallas, with plans to broaden to extra cities within the close to future.”

New York Metropolis

In June, Waymo shared plans to deliver its autonomous tech again to New York, after having first operated by hand its autos there in 2021. It as soon as once more started driving manually within the Large Apple in early July, particularly in Manhattan and elements of downtown Brooklyn, in addition to in close by Jersey Metropolis and Hoboken. Waymo submitted a allow software with the New York Metropolis Division of Transportation to function autonomously with a human behind the wheel, which was granted in late August.  

As a part of the New York Metropolis allow, Waymo can take a look at as much as eight autonomous autos in Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn till September. After that, it will probably apply for an extension to the pilot testing interval. 

Current legal guidelines within the state of New York do not allow the identical absolutely autonomous ride-hailing service that firms like Waymo provide in different elements of the nation, so Waymo remains to be unable to cost for rides. In June, Waymo stated it was “advocating for a change in state legislation that might enable for working a automobile with no human behind the wheel,” including, “we’ve got each intention of bringing our absolutely autonomous ride-hailing service to town sooner or later.” 

Philadelphia

Waymo stated in July that it is bringing a restricted fleet of its autos to “probably the most complicated elements” of Philadelphia, “together with downtown and freeways.” These autos may have human drivers behind the wheel as the corporate continues to develop its driving capabilities. There are not any quick plans to launch a robotaxi service there.

Washington, DC

Waymo plans to start out providing rides by its Waymo app in Washington, DC, in 2026. The corporate returned to the nation’s capital in January to check its autonomous driving tech. In late March, it stated it was bringing extra autos to town and dealing to scale its service all year long. In a weblog put up, Waymo stated it’s going to “proceed to work carefully with policymakers to formalize the laws wanted to function with no human behind the wheel within the District.”

Miami 

You may even have to attend till 2026 to experience a Waymo in Miami. The corporate has been conducting climate testing within the lead-up to that eventual rollout, noting in a weblog put up, “Our earlier street journeys to the Sunshine State’s difficult wet circumstances have been invaluable in advancing our autonomous driving capabilities.”

Waymo will collaborate with Moove, a fintech firm that gives automobile financing, first in Phoenix, the place Moove will handle the robotaxi’s fleet operations, amenities and charging infrastructure. In Phoenix after which Miami, “Waymo will proceed to supply our service by the Waymo app, and stay answerable for validation and operation of the Waymo Driver,” the corporate stated in a weblog put up.

Tokyo

In December, Waymo introduced it is increasing to Tokyo, making it the corporate’s first worldwide location. Waymo is partnering with Japanese taxi service Nihon Kotsu and taxi app Go. In April, the self-driving firm shared that it is lastly able to hit the street overseas.

Waymo says educated Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually drive its autos throughout seven Tokyo wards, together with Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa and Kōtō. This can enable engineers to check and adapt Waymo’s autonomous driving tech to native street options and visitors. 

“In Tokyo, we’re abiding by the identical steadfast rules that information us within the US — dedication to security, dedication to incomes belief in communities the place we function, and collaboration with native officers and group teams right here in Tokyo,” Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s head of enterprise improvement and strategic partnerships, stated in a press release.

It isn’t clear when riders will have the ability to hitch a self-driving experience with Waymo in Tokyo.

The street forward: Future autos

In August 2024, Waymo unveiled the sixth technology of its self-driving know-how, which strives to broaden the capabilities of its driverless fleet. Smarter sensors are supposed to assist the automobiles higher navigate in excessive climate, Waymo stated. The sixth-gen Driver will come aboard the all-electric Zeekr automobile, which encompasses a flat flooring, extra head- and legroom, adjustable seats and a detachable steering wheel and pedals. The up to date tech remains to be being examined, however the firm says it’s going to be accessible to riders quickly.

In October, Waymo additionally introduced a partnership with Hyundai to combine its sixth-generation Driver into the all-electric Ioniq 5 SUV, which, in line with a weblog put up, “might be added to the Waymo One fleet over time.” The businesses added that they “plan to provide a fleet of Ioniq 5s geared up with Waymo’s know-how in vital quantity over a number of years to help Waymo One’s rising scale.” Testing with these autos will begin by late 2025 and change into accessible “within the years to comply with.”

At the moment, on a regular basis riders cannot take a Waymo automobile on highways and freeways, however that will quickly change. The corporate is testing absolutely autonomous rides on freeways in Phoenix, as seen in an unique video shared with CNET in Might 2024. It is also now making absolutely autonomous freeway rides accessible to Waymo staff in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Space.

Waymo is working to broaden its autonomous driving tech into trucking as properly, however it stated in 2023 that it is scaling again these efforts in the meanwhile, to give attention to ride-hailing with Waymo One. It famous, “Our ongoing funding in advancing Waymo Driver capabilities, particularly on freeways, will instantly translate to trucking and profit its improvement efforts.”