Waymo Set to Unveil Self-Driving Ride-Hailing Service in London by 2026, Sparking Competition with Uber and Lyft

Waymo, the self-driving vehicle firm supported by Google’s parent organization Alphabet, has confirmed intentions to launch its autonomous ride-hailing service in London in 2026, marking a significant advancement in the UK’s embrace of self-governing transport.

Having already started fully driverless operations in American cities like Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, Waymo will collaborate with fleet partner Moove to establish a service in the UK capital, utilizing Jaguar Land Rover’s electric I-Pace cars integrated with its exclusive Waymo Driver technology.

This initiative positions Waymo in direct rivalry with prominent ride-hailing competitors Uber and Lyft, both of whom are gearing up to introduce their own autonomous services in the UK next year. Uber is joining forces with London-based AI company Wayve, while Lyft has partnered with Chinese internet behemoth Baidu to broaden its reach into both the UK and Germany.

“We’re excited to bring the dependability, safety, and wonder of Waymo to the people of London,” expressed Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo’s co-CEO. “We have showcased how to responsibly expand fully autonomous ride-hailing, and we’re eager to extend the advantages of our technology to the United Kingdom.”

The firm is actively engaging with UK regulators to obtain necessary approvals under the government’s intended piloting program for autonomous vehicles (AVs). Waymo boasts engineering teams in both London and Oxford and has enduring R&D connections to the UK.

UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander praised the announcement, labeling it a victory for innovation, mobility, and economic growth.

“I’m thrilled that Waymo plans to bring their services to London next year,” she stated. “Enhancing the AV sector will broaden accessible transportation options while creating jobs, investments, and chances for the UK.”

Autonomous vehicles have encountered scrutiny globally following incidents relating to early-stage deployments. However, UK safety advocates have carefully welcomed Waymo’s expansion, referencing robust safety performance statistics.

“Autonomous vehicles, like Waymo, have the potential to greatly enhance road safety by eliminating the human driver,” remarked James Gibson, executive director of Road Safety GB. “Waymo vehicles have demonstrated significantly safer performance in comparison to human drivers over more than 100 million autonomous miles.”

Waymo’s UK launch paves the way for a competitive market in London where international ride-hailing companies will vie to scale autonomous transport.

Analysts assert that the success of initial pilots will hinge on public acceptance, pricing strategies, regulatory clarity, and the capacity of AVs to function safely within London’s intricate urban landscape.

With 2026 poised to be a pivotal year for autonomous mobility in the UK, London may emerge as one of Europe’s first prominent cities to experience large-scale deployment of driverless ride-hailing services—assuming that regulators, operators, and the public stay aligned on matters of safety and economic consequences.