Waymo launches UK accessibility network ahead of London rollout
Waymo has launched the Waymo Accessibility Network UK to help shape the future deployment of its autonomous mobility technology in London. The network brings together disability advocates and charities for ongoing research, product testing and dialogue about accessible travel.
- Waymo launched the Waymo Accessibility Network UK on 2026-11-10.
- The network has 10 inaugural disability and transport organisations.
- Members will contribute to user research and product testing.
- Waymo highlighted vehicle-finding, audio, navigation and customisation features.
- The network will support Waymo's work towards welcoming first passengers in London.
Disability organisations to help shape Waymo's UK service
Waymo says the network will give diverse voices within the UK disability community a direct role in how its technology is deployed on UK streets. Members will support user research and participate in product testing, with their feedback used to inform the passenger experience.
“Establishing the Waymo Accessibility Network UK is a vital step in ensuring our rollout of autonomous technology in London is inclusive, equitable, and aligned with local needs,” said Chris Ludwick, Waymo Product Management Director. “Working hand-in-hand with our UK partners allows us to refine, test, and deploy solutions that give passengers the freedom of truly independent travel.”
The 10 inaugural participants are RNIB, Re-Engage, AgeUK, Transport for All, Thomas Pocklington Trust, Guide Dogs UK, Sense, Motability Foundation, National Centre for Accessible Transport and Scope.
Features designed to support independent journeys
Waymo says feedback from the disability community already informs features including audio cues and vehicle-finding tools. These include a unique melody or horn honk that blind and low-vision riders can trigger through the app, plus step-by-step navigation to a vehicle after it arrives. The app can also warn passengers before booking if the pickup point would require more than 3 minutes of walking.
The Waymo app is designed to work with screen readers. A vehicle's lidar dome can display a rider's initials on a custom LED screen, in a colour selected by the rider, and can show an image indicating that someone is boarding or leaving the vehicle. Waymo says this may help deaf and hard-of-hearing riders identify their vehicle.
Passengers can customise accessibility preferences before a journey, including reducing walking time, enabling audio descriptions, reducing chimes and sounds, and accessing riding tips. Other options include climate and music controls, front seat adjustments to create more footwell space for a guide dog or mobility device, 24/7 rider support and app language compatibility based on the preferred language set on a passenger's smartphone. Guide dogs are welcome without prior notice.
A partnership approach to autonomous transport
Waymo says London passengers with visual, physical or cognitive needs can still face barriers, including difficulty finding the right vehicle on busy streets and refusals affecting guide dog users in private hire vehicles. The company says autonomous driving technology could help rethink some of these experiences, but technology alone cannot remove every barrier.
“Autonomous technology offers enormous potential to transform independent travel, but it must be shaped by disabled people from day one,” said Clive Gilbert, Consortium Board Member at the National Centre for Accessible Transport and Head of Accessible Transport at Policy Connect.
The network will initially support Waymo's work towards welcoming its first passengers in London. The company says its goal is for Waymo to become a trusted addition to the UK's existing transport networks and a new mobility option, while continuing to learn from the people who experience barriers to mobility.
