Waymo announced plans to launch its robotaxi service in Munich, Germany, marking a significant step in expanding its autonomous vehicle operations internationally. The company, owned by Alphabet, has recently established a legal entity in Germany and will begin its entry by manually mapping Munich’s streets. Following this, Waymo will conduct autonomous vehicle testing with human safety drivers before ultimately deploying fully driverless taxis. The public launch for commercial ride-hailing is expected toward the end of 2027, pending regulatory approval.

This expansion comes after Germany became a pioneer in the European Union by passing legislation over five years ago that allows Level 4 autonomous vehicles on public roads. This legal framework enables self-driving cars to operate without human intervention in certain conditions and has attracted several companies, including Mobileye and Volkswagen, to test their technology in the country. However, Waymo has not yet obtained any permits in Germany for testing or commercial deployment.

Waymo’s strategy aligns with its rollout in other cities worldwide, initially restricting rides to employees and invited guests during the driverless testing phase. Regulatory cooperation is a priority as the company works closely with Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority and local governments to meet all operational conditions. The company’s move into Munich also highlights Germany’s growing status as a central hub for autonomous vehicle innovation in Europe.

Beyond Germany, the UK is emerging as another key market for robotaxi services, with Waymo planning a commercial launch in London in 2026. This will place the company in direct competition with local startups like Wayve and major players such as Uber and Baidu. The burgeoning European robotaxi scene reflects the broader global race to establish commercial autonomous ride-hailing networks.