Driverless taxis set to launch in UK

Driverless taxis may arrive in London sooner than expected, as regulators and technology firms accelerate plans to bring autonomous transport to UK streets.
Britain’s autonomous vehicle market is gathering pace, with pilot schemes, economic forecasts and fierce competition shaping the future of urban transport.

London could soon see driverless taxis on public roads, with Waymo planning a paid robotaxi service as early as September. Pilot schemes start in April using safety drivers while systems are tested and mapped.

Regulatory changes allowing fully autonomous services are expected in the second half of 2026. Officials say automated vehicles could improve road safety and must meet strict cybersecurity and safety requirements.

Waymo’s vehicles rely on lidar, radar, cameras and microphones to monitor surroundings in real time, supported by powerful onboard computing. Pricing is expected to be competitive but positioned at a premium during peak demand.

Industry forecasts suggest autonomous vehicles could add £42bn to the UK economy by 2035 and support tens of thousands of jobs. Rival firms such as Uber and Lyft are also preparing to launch robotaxi services once UK rules allow.

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