An upcoming fleet of autonomous taxis could hit the roads in the UK as early as this fall. Waymo, a US company, has revealed plans to introduce its self-driving cab service in London by the end of the year. The Mirror was granted a preview of Waymo’s advanced autonomous cabs, known as robotaxis, which are currently undergoing tests on the streets of the capital.
Before being able to pick up passengers, Waymo must receive official safety approval. The company, a division 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 for the autonomous rides will likely be higher compared to traditional human-driven Uber and black cabs, Waymo believes it will attract individuals who prefer not to be driven by humans, 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 globally. We are confident in our ability to enhance road safety significantly.” She also described the experience of riding in one of their cabs as “magical.”
While the size of the planned London fleet was not disclosed, Waymo currently operates 1,000 vehicles in San Francisco and 700 in Los Angeles. The company has not ruled out expanding its self-driving cab services to other cities in the UK in the future.
In a parallel development, Uber is also trialing autonomous taxis in London. Waymo executives claim that their advanced vehicles are capable of navigating various conditions in the UK, from complex road systems to adverse weather like heavy rain.
The company’s technology is equipped in a fleet of electric Jaguar I-Pace cars. However, skeptics, such as Steve McNamara from the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, question whether people who distrust robots for certain tasks will trust them to transport children to school.
Regarding the societal impacts of driverless vehicles and taxis, GMB national secretary Andy Prendergast emphasized the importance of considering the potential consequences, including implications for employment.
Waymo’s technology has been designed to continuously monitor its surroundings and predict unexpected events, such as a person suddenly emerging from behind a bus. Ben Loewenstein, head of policy and government affairs for Waymo in the UK and Europe, highlighted the advanced perception capabilities of their technology, referring to it as “superhuman.”
As the autonomous taxi industry continues to evolve, companies like Waymo are optimistic that British consumers will embrace this new mode of transportation, similar to their American counterparts. However, the true reception and willingness to pay a potentially higher price for driverless rides remain to be seen.