Waymo to Launch Robotaxi Service in Munich by End of 2027
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in Munich. The company will follow its standard process for new markets: manually mapping streets first and then testing with human safety drivers before fully removing them. Waymo expects commercial operations by late 2027 after working closely with German regulators, including the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). Germany has been a regulatory leader in autonomous driving since passing legislation allowing Level 4 autonomy over five years ago. Germany is becoming an important hub for AV development due to its progressive legal framework. While Waymo currently lacks testing permits there, other companies like Mobileye and Volkswagen already hold them. The country's focus on Level 4 systems—where the vehicle handles all driving in specific conditions without human intervention—is attracting global interest. Waymo is also preparing a robotaxi launch for London by 2026, where it will face competition from Wayve (partnered with Uber) and Baidu. The company's expansion into Europe reflects growing confidence in the commercial viability of autonomous ride-hailing services.
Topics: autonomous vehicles Germany expansion robotaxi service