The Mirror was among the first to be given a sneak peek of Waymo’s AI packed self driving cabs
An army of driverless cabs could take to UK roads – beginning this autumn.
US firm Waymo confirmed it hoped to launch its fully autonomous taxi service in London towards the end of this year. The Mirror was among the first to be given a sneak peek of Waymo’s AI packed self driving cabs – dubbed robotaxis – that have already begun testing on the capital’s streets.
It needs official safety approval before being allowed to pick up punters. Waymo, part of tech giant Google, claims its technology can dramatically cut traffic accidents and pedestrian and cycle injuries.
But fares will be more than with human driven Uber and black cabs. Waymo claims it will appeal to those wary of being driven by a human – citing woman at night – plus others who like the privacy.
“Our goal is to be the world’s most trusted driver,” declared Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s senior director and head of business development and strategic partnerships. “We believe we can improve road safety meaningfully.” She also claimed taking one of its cabs was a “magical experience.”
However, it will also mean yet more vehicles on the road. While Waymo would not disclose the size of its planned London fleet, it has 1,000 operating in San Francisco and 700 in Los Angeles, where the Mirror gave it a go.
Both cities have smaller populations than London. The company didn’t rule out its self driving cabs appearing on other UK cities and towns in future.
It comes as rival Uber also begins trialling robotaxis in London. Waymo bosses also claimed its hi-tech cars could cope with the UK’s very different conditions, from complicated roads to heavy rain.
Its technology is designed to constantly monitor what is happening around the vehicle, with the company claiming it can also predict sudden events, such as person walking out from behind a bus.
“It has a super human level of perception,” claimed Ben Loewenstein, head of policy and government affairs for Waymo in UK and Europe.
The company’s technology will be fitted to a fleet of electric Jaguar I-Pace cars.
Others are sceptical. Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, has said: “Are people who don’t trust a robot to cut their grass going to trust one to take kids to school?”
GMB national secretary Andy Prendergast told the BBC last year there were “significant social implications” from driverless cars and taxis – including on unemployment – that should be fully considered.
Tesla’s self-driving software has been involved in multiple accidents in the US, including one fatality.
What was it like?
It’s plush, hi-tech and – crucially at this stage – not moving.
From the outside, one of Waymo’s first London taxis stands out like a sore thumb, with its large contraption on top and cameras in different spots.
That said, from the inside it is looks and feels like any other fancy motor, with its leather seats. But the touch screen tablet in the rear and other gizmos give a clue that you are sat in a something very different.
In case you were wondering, upfront it also looks like any other car with its steering wheel (albeit on the left).
Humans are still firmly at the wheel under the testing Waymo is carrying out at the moment. One of the next stages will be for them to move to the passenger seat – doubtless prove a head-turning moment for passers-by.
It will only be when – or if – Waymo gets the go-ahead for a fully driverless experience that the technology will truly come to life.
Waymo and other firms developing similar know-how are banking on Brits taking to it like those in American cities. Doubtless there will be a rush of people waiting to boast they’ve taken a driverless ride. But time will tell how many will be willing to fork out what could be a chunky premium.
