US robotaxi firm Waymo plans to launch in Germany
The firm, whose robotaxis currently operate in several US cities, is also planning to expand to London and Tokyo this year.
US robotaxi firm Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, announced plans to launch self-driving car services in Munich, Germany next year. This marks Waymo's first foray into the EU. The company will begin mapping Munich's streets and conducting tests with special drivers in the coming weeks. Commercial rides are set to begin at the end of 2027.
Waymo, which currently operates robotaxis in several US cities, also plans to expand to London and Tokyo this year. Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo's co-chief executive, hailed Munich as a "world-class hub for mobility and engineering" and emphasized the milestone in the company's global expansion. Bavarian state government minister Florian Herrmann welcomed the news, calling autonomous driving a "key technology for the future of mobility" and a "transformative force for our automotive industry."
Munich, Bavaria's capital, is a traditional center of Germany's car industry, home to BMW and numerous auto suppliers. However, the sector is grappling with an unprecedented crisis due to competition from China, the transition to electric vehicles, and weak demand. Waymo joins a growing list of firms launching trials in Europe, with uptake of robotaxi services lagging behind demand in the US and China.
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