Waymo announced plans to launch commercial driverless robotaxi rides in Munich, Germany, at the end of 2027 [1, 2, 3]. The company began phased testing and street mapping in Munich with safety drivers in August 2026, several weeks before August 25 [1, 2, 3].
Munich will be Waymo's first robotaxi city within the European Union and its third international location after London and Tokyo [1, 2, 3]. Waymo currently operates driverless taxis in 11 U.S. cities and is expanding to London and Tokyo later this year [1, 2, 3].
In mid-2026, Waymo established subsidiaries across multiple European countries including Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland to support its expansion [3]. As of March 2026, Waymo had logged nearly 221 million fully autonomous miles driven [1].
Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo co-CEO, called Munich "a world-class hub for mobility and engineering, and becoming part of this city marks an important milestone in our global expansion" [1]. Bavarian state minister Florian Herrmann said, "Autonomous driving is a key technology for the future of mobility and for the transformation of our automotive industry" [2]. Bavaria faces pressures from Chinese competition, the transition to electric vehicles, and weak demand in the traditional automotive sector [2].
Waymo's upcoming launch aims to extend the reach of driverless taxi services into mainland Europe, starting with Munich before expanding further. The company will continue phased testing through late 2026 before the commercial rollout planned for the end of 2027 [1, 2, 3].
