Waymo chooses Munich as first EU city to launch robotaxis
US-based self-driving car company Waymo has announced it has chosen Munich as the first EU city to roll out its vehicles. Rides start in late 2027.
Self-driving car company Waymo has announced it will launch robotaxis in Munich, Germany, marking the first European city to receive this service. The company, a subsidiary of Alphabet, plans to begin mapping Munich's streets and test its self-driving vehicles in the Bavarian capital's streets in the coming weeks. Waymo aims to make its services available to Munich residents by the end of 2027.
In a press release, Waymo expressed excitement about complementing Munich's existing public transport, cycling, and pedestrian networks. Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana noted Munich's status as a world-class hub for mobility and engineering, emphasizing the significance of this milestone in the company's global expansion.
The announcement comes as Germany's traditional automotive industry faces challenges. Volkswagen, BMW, and other local manufacturers struggle with declining sales, increased competition from Chinese car manufacturers, difficulties in transitioning to electric vehicles, and higher production costs. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume recently described the company's situation as "more than critical" and revealed plans for a massive transformation in the next decade, aiming to cut the model range in half, lower costs, and stabilize production at around nine million vehicles per year.
Blume's announcement at a gathering of around 10,000 Volkswagen employees was met with protests, as the company plans to cut another 50,000 jobs.
Written by urgent.news from IamExpat Germany (News)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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