US self-driving car company, Waymo said Thursday it is working with UK partners to launch driverless robotaxis in London, which are expected to begin operating later this year. London would mark the first foray into Europe for Waymo, owned by Google parent Alphabet and already present in a growing number of US cities. Self-driving vehicles would undergo "rigorous" tests to prove they are at least as safe, competent and careful as human drivers, before being allowed on UK roads, the government said. California-based Waymo partnered with UK-based Jaguar Land Rover in 2018 to develop a self-driving electric car. Ride-hailing giant Uber has announced plans to launch driverless taxis in London with UK firm Wayve, whilst Chinese internet giant Baidu will launch a UK robotaxi service on rideshare app Lyft.