According to CNBC, Waymo announced plans to launch driverless robotaxi rides in Germany in 2027, marking its third international market and first within the EU.
Phased testing begins in Munich
Waymo will initiate “phased” autonomous vehicle testing in Munich over the next few weeks, as stated in a company blog post. The effort aims to build high-definition street maps, train autonomous specialists, and adapt software to the city’s
“distinct driving conditions.”
This preparatory phase precedes a public launch scheduled for the end of next year — meaning late 2026.
The company emphasized Munich’s strategic importance, with Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo co-CEO, stating:
“Munich is a world-class hub for mobility and engineering, and becoming part of this city marks an important milestone in our global expansion.”
This deployment follows Waymo’s ongoing testing in London and Tokyo, making Munich its third international city. As of March, Waymo reported having driven nearly 221 million fully autonomous miles.
U.S. operations and recent expansions
In the United States, Waymo remains the dominant robotaxi operator, currently active in 11 cities and pursuing expansion into 19 additional ones, per its official website. Last month, the company confirmed new service rollouts in San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Denver.
A photo captured on April 9, 2026, in New York showed a Waymo robotaxi operated by a safety specialist — illustrating the current transitional phase between supervised and fully driverless operation.
While industry-wide adoption remains early-stage, Waymo’s structured, geography-specific approach — beginning with mapping and specialist training — underscores its methodical entry strategy across diverse regulatory and infrastructural environments.
Source: CNBC
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
