A Waymo driverless taxi undergoing testing in London unexpectedly entered a police-taped off crime scene on Wednesday evening.

Incident Details in Harlesden

The incident occurred in Harlesden, northwest London, after police closed a road following a double stabbing. Footage shows the white Waymo vehicle proceeding past police flashing lights and a ‘Do Not Cross’ tape.

The car emitted beeps as it stopped, and two police officers spoke with the occupant before the vehicle reversed away from the scene.

Waymo’s Response

Ethan Teicher, a Waymo spokesperson, stated the vehicle was being driven manually at the time, and the driver has been suspended. Waymo’s initial analysis suggests the car would have detected the hazard and stopped if operating in automated mode.

The company apologized for any disruption caused by the ‘validation driver’ and committed to corrective measures.

Safety Concerns Raised

This incident raises concerns about the safety and security of deploying driverless cars on British roads, including potential cyberattacks and navigating UK road features like roundabouts and zebra crossings.

Waymo’s UK Testing and Expansion Plans

Waymo has been testing vehicles in London since last autumn, initially with safety drivers and more recently with fully AI-controlled operation. The company, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is expanding operations internationally after facing challenges in the US.

Currently, Waymo is testing across 19 London boroughs, preparing for a rollout planned by the fourth quarter of 2026. They already operate fully driverless services in San Francisco, Miami, and Atlanta.

Plans for the UK launch include an app-based hailing system similar to Uber, with pricing fluctuating based on demand. Airport drop-offs will not be available initially.

London is the primary focus for the UK launch, with potential expansion to cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.

Previous Incidents and Scrutiny

This incident adds to growing scrutiny surrounding autonomous vehicle safety, including previous reports of incidents, such as a Waymo car colliding with a cat without stopping. The event has sparked debate about the readiness of UK streets for widespread autonomous vehicle adoption and the implications of human error within these systems.