Driverless Taxis Poised to Launch in London Amidst Tech Sector Shifts
London could see driverless taxis on its streets as early as September, according to Waymo, the US-based autonomous vehicle company. While the UK government anticipates regulatory changes in the second half of 2026 to fully enable driverless taxi operation, Waymo plans to launch a pilot service in April. Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood stated, "We're supporting Waymo and other operators through our passenger pilots, and pro-innovation regulations to make self-driving cars a reality on British roads."
This development arrives as other major players in the technology sector are undergoing significant shifts. Tesla, led by Elon Musk, reported its first annual revenue drop, a 3% decrease, as it pivots its focus towards artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. Profits for the electric vehicle (EV) maker also fell by 61% in the last three months of the year. The company announced plans to discontinue production of its Model S and Model X vehicles, repurposing its California manufacturing plant to produce its line of humanoid robots, known as Optimus. Tesla's shift comes after China's BYD overtook it as the world's largest EV maker in January.
Meanwhile, in Iran, some citizens are regaining internet access after nearly three weeks of severe shutdowns. The Iranian government cut off internet access on January 8th, a move widely viewed as an attempt to control the flow of information regarding a government crackdown on protesters. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated the internet was blocked in response to what he described as "terrorist operations." While some access has been restored, independent analysis suggests that much of the country remains cut off from the outside world.
In other news impacting UK residents, water bills are set to rise again in April, increasing by an average of £2.70 per month. The average annual bill in England and Wales will increase by £33 to £639. Water UK, the industry trade body, said the increases are necessary to fund vital upgrades to the system and address spillages. Cost of living correspondent Kevin Peachey reports that the size of the increase and the cost of the average bill vary widely across different regions, with one water-only supplier raising prices by 13%. The increases have prompted calls for a "stronger safety net" for those unable to pay.
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