Safety concerns have been raised over a planned trial of Waymo's self-driving cars in London after a police cordon was breached during a demonstration. The incident, which occurred last week, has prompted calls from local authorities to suspend the trial until a full investigation is completed.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has been testing its autonomous vehicles in the US for years and recently announced plans to expand to the UK. However, critics argue that the technology is not yet ready for London's complex road network. The police cordon breach involved a Waymo vehicle crossing into a restricted area during a supervised test, raising questions about the system's reliability.
A spokesperson for Transport for London stated that they are reviewing the incident and will work with Waymo to ensure all safety protocols are met before any public trial proceeds. Waymo has not commented on the specific breach but reiterated its commitment to safety and collaboration with UK regulators.
Local residents have also expressed concerns about the potential risks, with some calling for more transparency from the company. The trial was originally scheduled to begin later this year, but may now be delayed pending further safety assessments.
