Waymo to Launch Driverless Taxi Service in London

Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo plans to launch a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in London in 2026, marking its first move into Europe.

The company already operates in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta, with Miami coming next year, and is testing in Las Vegas, New York, and Tokyo.

Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said Waymo aims to bring “the reliability, safety, and magic” of its service to Londoners. The company has logged over 100 million autonomous miles and completed 10 million paid rides in the U.S.

Rival Tesla launched a limited robo-taxi service in Austin this year but has yet to expand further. Analysts say widespread robo-taxis could disrupt traditional car ownership.

Alphabet shares rose 2.3% to $251.03, while the S&P 500 added 0.4%. The stock is up 30% year to date and 48% over the past year.