A Waymo self-driving vehicle plows straight through crime scene tape following a double stabbing on Harlesden High Street in west London, narrowly missing a police car before halting.
Incident Unfolds on Busy Street
The incident occurs on Wednesday evening after police establish the perimeter. The white electric taxi, equipped for full autonomy, emits loud beeps as it forces past the tape into the restricted area. Two officers approach and speak with the driver, who then reverses the car away from the scene.
Waymo vehicles have operated in London since last autumn, initially with safety drivers at the wheel. Recent tests shift control to artificial intelligence, though a human remains in the driver’s seat for emergencies. Authorities suspend the involved driver pending a full investigation.
Waymo Responds to Breach
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 Mount for Driverless Tech
Experts raise alarms over deploying fully autonomous cars on UK roads, citing risks from cyberattacks and complex traffic. The Alphabet-owned company tests vehicles across 19 London boroughs, tackling challenges like roundabouts and pedestrian crossings.
Waymo partners with Jaguar, featuring fleets of distinctive white cars topped with camera arrays. The firm runs completely driverless services in US cities such as San Francisco, Miami, and Atlanta while mapping London streets for expansion.
Upcoming Rollout in UK
Plans target a commercial launch by the fourth quarter of 2026. Sources confirm London as the primary focus, with regulatory approvals nearing. Expansion follows to cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.
Customers will summon rides via app, though airport drop-offs remain unavailable at launch. Fares position as premium yet competitive, surging during peak demand like Uber services.
