Waymo announced plans on Tuesday to launch a robotaxi service in Munich, following the establishment of a local entity in Germany earlier this year.
The company is currently focused on mapping and testing its routes, as well as overcoming regulatory challenges before initiating commercial operations.
As part of its rollout strategy, Waymo will first manually drive its vehicles to map the streets of Munich, similar to its approach in the 11 other cities where it operates. This will be followed by testing autonomous vehicles with human safety drivers present, before transitioning to fully driverless rides. Initially, rides will be available to employees, media, and select guests.
Once regulatory approvals are secured, Waymo plans to offer limited service to the public, with full commercial operations expected to commence by late 2027. The company is collaborating with Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), state authorities, and local officials to facilitate this process.
Germany’s legal framework for autonomous vehicles was established over five years ago, making it the first country in the European Union to permit Level 4 autonomous driving on public roads. This designation indicates that the vehicle can manage all driving tasks without human intervention under specific conditions.
This regulatory environment has positioned Germany as a key location for autonomous vehicle testing, with several companies, including Mobileye and Volkswagen, currently holding permits to operate in the country. However, Waymo has yet to obtain any testing permits.
While many companies possess Level 3 permits, which allow for conditional automated driving, Waymo’s ambition to operate at Level 4 signifies a more advanced stage of autonomy.
Germany is not the only international focus for autonomous vehicle developers. The UK, particularly London, is emerging as another competitive market for robotaxi services. Waymo has announced plans to launch a commercial service in London in 2026, where it will compete with local startups like Wayve and established players such as Uber. Additionally, Chinese tech giant Baidu is testing autonomous vehicles in London through partnerships with Lyft and Freenow.