In the coming weeks, the US company’s first robotaxis will begin operating in Munich. However, during this initial phase, trained personnel will still be behind the wheel. Waymo aims to use this period to create high-resolution maps of the city’s road network and assess its unique traffic conditions. Following this, the autonomous driving system, ‘Waymo Driver’, will be prepared for deployment in the Bavarian capital. By the end of 2027, Waymo plans to launch its commercial ride-hailing service for the public.
The launch in Germany has been anticipated for some time. In mid-June, Waymo Germany GmbH, based in Munich, was registered in the commercial register. Its stated purposes included ride-hailing services using autonomous vehicles and support services for related commercial offerings. At the same time, operational structures began to take shape: Waymo started recruiting personnel in Munich to operate autonomous mobility services, while a recruitment agency sought test drivers for autonomous vehicles in Munich and Berlin. However, it remained unclear whether these positions were directly associated with Waymo.
If the announced timeline is met, Munich will become the first city in the European Union to offer a regular driverless robotaxi service. However, this is not Waymo’s first foray into Europe. The Alphabet subsidiary has been preparing to launch its ride-hailing service in London since spring.
