Waymo to launch driverless rides in Germany in 2027, entering third market outside U.S.
Alphabet's Waymo on Tuesday said it plans to roll out robotaxi rides in Germany in 2027, marking its third international market and first in the EU.
Waymo will start "phased" testing in Munich over the next few weeks, with plans to launch to the public at the end of next year, the company said in a blog post. The testing aims to build high-definition street maps, train autonomous specialists and adapt software to the city's "distinct driving conditions."
"Munich is a world-class hub for mobility and engineering, and becoming part of this city marks an important milestone in our global expansion," Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in the post.
To date, Waymo has established itself as the dominant robotaxi player in the U.S., though the industry is still in its early days. The company currently operates in 11 U.S. cities, and is working to expand to 19 others, according to its website. Last month, Waymo announced an expansion into San Diego, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Tampa, Florida; and Denver, Colorado.
Munich is the company's third international city, following London and Tokyo. Waymo is currently testing robotaxis in both markets.
As of March, Waymo tracked nearly 221 million fully autonomous miles.
— CNBC's Lora Kolodny and Jennifer Elias contributed reporting
