Alphabet’s autonomous-vehicle unit Waymo said it will begin testing self-driving cars in Munich in the coming weeks, marking a key step toward launching commercial robotaxi services in Germany by the end of 2027.
The initial phase will involve manual driving to map local roads and validate system performance with trained specialists behind the wheel. Waymo said the period is designed to help its autonomous driving technology adapt to Munich’s urban traffic patterns, road layouts and regulatory environment.
The company is already engaging with German federal, state and municipal officials to secure the necessary permits for commercial operations. Waymo plans to invest in local fleet operations and create high-skilled jobs in preparation for the launch, it said.
Waymo’s expansion follows earlier autonomous-vehicle deployments in Europe. Last week, Uber, Verne and Pony.ai began offering self-driving rides in Zagreb, Croatia, marking the first time users in a European city could book robotaxis via a ride-hailing app.
The Munich announcement comes after Waymo raised $16 billion earlier this year, valuing the unit at $126 billion. The funding supports its broader push into international markets as competition intensifies among global autonomous-driving providers.
