Overview
- The Waymo test car that entered a Harlesden police cordon Wednesday was being driven in manual mode and the company says it has suspended the validation driver.
- Video shared online shows the white Jaguar-based vehicle sounding loud beeps as it crossed police tape, with officers then speaking to the person in the driver’s seat before the car reversed away.
- Waymo says its initial review indicates the autonomous system would likely have recognized the cordon and stopped, and it reports working with its operations partner on next steps.
- The cordon followed a double stabbing on Harlesden High Street as two men in their 20s were treated by medics at the scene before being taken to hospital, with police inquiries continuing.
- Waymo has been mapping and testing across 19 London boroughs with dozens of cars, reported as up to 24 vehicles, ahead of a possible service launch targeted for 2026 pending approvals.