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

Incident Details

The incident occurred in Harlesden, northwest London, where police had 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 and is collaborating with its operational partner to implement corrective measures.

Manual vs. Automated Control

Despite its autonomous capabilities, Waymo insists the car was under manual control during the incident.

Safety Concerns and Expansion Plans

This incident raises significant concerns about the safety of deploying driverless cars on British roads. Waymo has been testing vehicles in London since last autumn, initially with ‘safety drivers’.

A growing number are now operating under full artificial intelligence control, with a human present only for emergencies. The company, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is expanding operations in the US and navigating complex regulations.

Testing and Rollout

Waymo currently operates fully driverless services in San Francisco, Miami, and Atlanta, and has dozens of vehicles testing in London across 19 boroughs. The rollout is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.

The company plans a ride-hailing service accessible through a mobile application, similar to Uber, with ‘premium’ but competitive pricing.

Previous Incidents and Future Expansion

This is not the first incident raising questions about Waymo’s technology. Previous reports include an incident where a Waymo vehicle reportedly struck and killed a cat without stopping.

London is a primary focus for expansion, with launches anticipated in other major UK cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. The regulatory landscape remains a key hurdle.