An array of autonomous taxis may hit the roads in the UK starting this fall. Waymo, a US company, has announced plans to introduce its fully self-driving taxi service in London by the end of this year. The Mirror was granted an exclusive look at Waymo’s AI-powered driverless cabs, known as robotaxis, which are currently undergoing testing on the streets of the capital.
Before being permitted to pick up passengers, the service requires official safety approval. Waymo, a subsidiary of tech giant Google, asserts that its technology has the potential to significantly reduce traffic accidents as well as injuries to pedestrians and cyclists.
Although fares are expected to be higher than those of traditional Uber and black cabs driven by humans, Waymo believes its service will attract passengers who are hesitant to be driven by a human driver, especially during nighttime, and those who value privacy.
Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s senior director and head of business development and strategic partnerships, stated, “Our aim is to become the most trusted driver in the world. We are confident that we can make a meaningful impact on road safety.” She also described riding in one of their cabs as a “magical experience.”
While Waymo has not disclosed the size of its planned fleet in London, the company currently operates 1,000 vehicles in San Francisco and 700 in Los Angeles. Despite having smaller populations than London, Waymo has not ruled out expanding its self-driving taxi service to other cities and towns in the UK.
In a parallel development, competitor Uber has also started testing its own robotaxis in London. Waymo executives claim that their advanced vehicles can handle the unique driving conditions in the UK, including complex road layouts and heavy rainfall.
The company’s technology is designed to continuously monitor surroundings and predict unexpected events, such as pedestrians suddenly emerging from behind obstacles. Ben Loewenstein, head of policy and government affairs for Waymo in the UK and Europe, described the technology as possessing a “superhuman level of perception.”
Waymo’s technology will be integrated into a fleet of electric Jaguar I-Pace cars. However, there are skeptics, like Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, who question public trust in fully autonomous vehicles for everyday tasks like transporting children to school.
Andy Prendergast, national secretary of GMB, highlighted the potential social implications, including employment concerns, associated with the introduction of driverless cars and taxis. Tesla’s self-driving software has faced scrutiny following multiple accidents in the US, including a fatal incident.
The Waymo taxi in London features a distinctive design with cameras and sensors visible on the exterior. Internally, it resembles a luxury vehicle with leather seats and high-tech amenities, signaling a departure from traditional taxi experiences.
While human drivers are currently overseeing Waymo’s testing, the next phase will involve transitioning to fully autonomous operations, marking a significant milestone in the technology’s development.
Waymo and other companies pioneering similar autonomous technologies are optimistic that British consumers will embrace this innovation, akin to their American counterparts. The public’s reaction and willingness to pay a potentially higher price for a driverless ride will ultimately determine the success of these advanced transportation services.