AI APPLICATIONS
T
hough competition is growing, Waymo is widely considered to be the world’ s leading force when it comes to autonomous vehicles( AVs) that incorporate AI and machine learning( ML).
For a few years now, the Silicon Valley based firm – which is owned by Google’ s parent company, Alphabet – has been operating a service of driverless taxis across several major US cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix.
With thousands of rides under its belt and more than 1,500 cars in its fleet, the firm now believes that the time for expansion has arrived. The company has announced its intention to take its service global, with a London launch pencilled in for 2026.
While some AV innovators, including Tesla, have started testing their technology in European cities, this will be Waymo’ s first foray outside the US. It will also be the first time that the UK has ever entertained the idea of so-called‘ robotaxis’.
CREDIT: WAYMO
A phased rollout The first vehicles will begin arriving in London in just a matter of weeks, though the service won’ t become public until next year.
Waymo has said that the first phase of the rollout will have human safety drivers behind the wheel as the company works through all the regulatory approval processes it needs to.
On this project, Waymo will collaborate with the UK’ s Department for Transport, as well as Transport for London, to introduce fully autonomous rides without safety drivers by 2026.
aimagazine. com 103