Waymo plans driverless taxi service in Munich for 2027

Google sister company Waymo plans to launch a regular driverless taxi service for the public in Munich by the end of 2027, BR reported. The Bavarian capital would become the company’s first city in the European Union.

The first vehicles are expected to appear on Munich’s roads in the coming weeks. During the initial testing phase, they will map the road network and be driven by trained staff to adapt the system to local traffic conditions.

Authorities must approve driverless operation

Waymo is working with the Federal Motor Transport Authority and the responsible state and municipal authorities to secure the approvals needed for operations without a driver. Germany established the legal basis for driverless road traffic in everyday use in 2021.

Bavaria’s Economy Minister Hubert Aiwanger called the announcement a milestone for autonomous driving in Bavaria. He said the state aimed to put robotaxis into practical use during the IAA Mobility trade show in September 2027.

Waymo cites safety record in the United States

Waymo says its service is already operating publicly in 11 metropolitan areas and cities in the United States. According to the company, its vehicles have travelled more than 350 million kilometres without human control and completed more than 20 million paid trips.

Based on its own analyses, Waymo says the system is significantly safer than human drivers, including a multiple-fold reduction in crashes involving serious injuries and in collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Uber and Autobrains also plan robotaxis

Ride-hailing company Uber and Israeli artificial intelligence company Autobrains recently launched a joint robotaxi programme in Munich. The companies announced plans in June to establish a fleet of Level 4 autonomous vehicles in the Bavarian capital. At Level 4, drivers no longer need to monitor the vehicle, allowing passengers to sleep, work or watch films during the journey.