Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo plans to launch driverless ride-hailing services in Germany by the end of 2027, marking its first expansion into the European Union and its third international market. Ahead of the public launch, Waymo will begin phased testing and manual driving in Munich in late 2026 to build high-definition maps and adapt its software. The company already tests in London and Tokyo, and operates in 11 U.S. cities, having logged 221 million autonomous miles as of March 2026.
Waymo Germany launch
- ▪The planned launch in Germany in 2027 represents Waymo's third international market outside of the United States
- ▪Alphabet Inc.-owned Waymo plans to launch driverless ride-hailing services in Germany by the end of 2027, marking its first market in the European Union
Munich testing phase
- ▪During the validation period in Munich, Waymo will test its vehicles with trained autonomous specialists behind the wheel before opening the service to the general public
- ▪Waymo will begin manual driving and phased testing of its vehicles in Munich, Germany, in the weeks following August 25, 2026, to adapt its self-driving software to the city's distinct driving conditions
Waymo global expansion
- ▪Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana stated that entering Munich marks an important milestone in the company's global expansion, describing the city as a world-class hub for mobility and engineering
- ▪Prior to announcing its expansion into Germany, Waymo established testing operations in London and Tokyo, which represent its other two international markets outside the United States
Autonomous vehicle market positioning
- ▪As of March 2026, Waymo had tracked nearly 221 million fully autonomous miles, establishing itself as a dominant robotaxi player in the United States
- ▪Waymo operates robotaxis in 11 United States cities and is working to expand to 19 others, including recent expansions into San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Denver
High-definition street mapping
- ▪Waymo's initial manual driving phase in Munich aims to create high-definition street maps of the city to support its autonomous vehicle software
- ▪The creation of high-definition maps in Munich is part of a validation process to ensure Waymo's self-driving software can safely navigate the city's unique environment
Story comments
Loading comments…