A Waymo autonomous taxi forcefully breaches crime scene tape at a double stabbing location on Harlesden High Street in west London, narrowly missing a police vehicle before halting.
Incident Unfolds on Video
The white electric vehicle, equipped for fully autonomous operation, pushes through police tape erected on Wednesday evening following the stabbing. Loud beeps echo as the car enters the secured area. Two officers engage in discussion with the driver, who then reverses the vehicle out of the scene.
Waymo Operations in London
Waymo vehicles have operated in London since last autumn, initially under safety driver supervision. Recent tests shift control to artificial intelligence, with a human passenger ready for emergencies. The driver in this incident faces suspension pending a full investigation.
A Waymo spokesperson stated: “We sincerely apologise for any disruption caused by this validation driver, who was operating the vehicle in manual mode. We take this matter seriously and are working with our operations partner to ensure appropriate actions are taken.”
Safety Concerns and Testing Challenges
Experts raise alarms over deploying driverless cars on UK roads, citing risks like cyberattacks and navigation hurdles. The vehicles, fully autonomous without a driver, undergo trials in London ahead of a planned rollout in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Alphabet’s Waymo partners with Jaguar, deploying white fleets with prominent roof and side cameras. The company runs driverless services in U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Miami, and Atlanta. In London, dozens of vehicles map streets across 19 boroughs, tackling issues like roundabouts and zebra crossings.
Upcoming Launch Details
A Waymo source noted last November: “London has been our focus for some time. We are launching sooner in the UK than people think. There are still some regulatory hurdles to get around but we’re very close to getting a deal. London will be first, then major cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Edinburgh.”
Customers will summon rides via app, though airport drop-offs remain unavailable at launch. Pricing stays premium yet competitive, with surges during peak demand akin to Uber.
