An army of autonomous taxis may soon hit the roads in the UK, with plans for a launch as early as this autumn. Waymo, a US company, has revealed its intentions to introduce a fully autonomous taxi service in London by the end of this year. The Mirror was granted an exclusive preview of Waymo’s self-driving cabs, also known as robotaxis, which are currently undergoing testing on the streets of the capital.

Before the driverless cabs can start picking up passengers, they must receive official safety approval. Waymo, a subsidiary of tech giant Google, asserts that its advanced technology has the potential to significantly reduce traffic accidents as well as injuries to pedestrians and cyclists.

While fares for Waymo’s services are expected to be higher compared to traditional Uber and black cabs driven by humans, the company believes it will appeal to passengers who prefer the idea of being driven by a machine, especially at night, and value privacy.

Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s senior director and head of business development and strategic partnerships, expressed the company’s ambition to become the most trusted driver globally, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing road safety. Waymo envisions its autonomous taxis providing a “magical experience” for passengers.

Although the introduction of Waymo’s driverless cabs will increase the number of vehicles on the road, the company has not disclosed the size of its planned London fleet. With successful operations in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, Waymo has not ruled out expanding its services to other cities and towns in the UK.

In a similar move, Uber is also testing robotaxis in London, with Waymo confident in its technology’s ability to adapt to the diverse conditions of the UK, including complex road layouts and adverse weather conditions.

Waymo’s cutting-edge technology continuously monitors its surroundings and can anticipate unexpected events, such as pedestrians suddenly emerging from blind spots. According to Ben Loewenstein, head of policy and government affairs for Waymo in the UK and Europe, the technology offers a level of perception beyond human capabilities.

The company’s technology will be integrated into a fleet of electric Jaguar I-Pace cars. Despite the optimism surrounding driverless technology, skeptics, like Steve McNamara of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, question the public’s trust in autonomous vehicles for tasks like transporting children to school.

Andy Prendergast, national secretary of GMB, highlighted the significant social implications of driverless cars and taxis, including potential effects on employment. However, concerns remain about the safety and societal impact of autonomous vehicles, especially in light of incidents involving Tesla’s self-driving software in the US.

As Waymo prepares to introduce its autonomous taxi service in London, the company’s state-of-the-art vehicles offer a luxurious and high-tech experience. While the exterior design may be distinctive with its prominent equipment and cameras, the interior resembles a premium vehicle with leather seats and advanced features like a touch screen tablet.

At present, human drivers are supervising Waymo’s testing operations, but the transition to fully driverless experiences is on the horizon pending regulatory approval. Waymo and other companies investing in autonomous technology are optimistic about the public acceptance in the UK, following the positive reception in American cities. The future will reveal whether the allure of a driverless ride outweighs the potential premium cost for passengers.