Waymo to begin autonomous vehicle testing in Munich

Alphabet-owned Waymo announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in Munich, Germany, by the end of 2027, marking its debut in the European Union. The company will begin testing autonomous vehicles in Munich in the coming weeks, a process that will involve manually driving vehicles to map streets and then testing with human safety drivers before seeking regulatory approval for commercial operations.

Germany adopted legislation allowing driverless vehicles in 2016, becoming the first EU country with a legal framework for Level 4 autonomous driving. This has made the country a hub for AV testing, with companies like Mobileye and Volkswagen already holding permits. Waymo is currently working with German authorities, including the KBA, to secure the necessary approvals.

This expansion into Germany follows Waymo's plans to launch a commercial service in London in 2026, where it will compete with other AV developers like Wayve and Baidu.