1 week ago
Waymo Picks Munich for First EU Robotaxi Service
Waymo wants to let people take rides in cars that drive themselves in Munich, Germany.
The company plans to begin public service toward the end of 2027.
Before that, trained drivers will manually drive the cars around the city.
This will help Waymo make detailed maps and teach its software about Munich’s roads and traffic.
The first cars will be electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles.
Waymo will begin with a small number of cars and add more later.
Munich is the company’s first planned robotaxi location in the European Union.
Other companies are also testing self-driving technology in Germany.
Waymo plans to launch driverless ride-hailing services in Munich by the end of 2027.
The company will begin manually driving electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Munich to create high-definition maps and validate its software.
Trained autonomous specialists will operate the vehicles during testing before public service begins.
Waymo plans to start with a small fleet and expand it over time.
The Munich project is Waymo’s first planned robotaxi service in the European Union and its third planned international market.
- Who
- Waymo, an Alphabet-owned self-driving technology company, with support from German transport officials.
- What
- Waymo plans to test and eventually offer driverless ride-hailing services in Munich.
- Where
- Munich, Germany, the company’s first planned European Union robotaxi market.
- When
- Manual mapping and validation are expected to begin in the coming weeks, with public service planned toward the end of 2027.
- Why
- Waymo says the testing will help create high-definition maps and adapt its self-driving software to Munich’s distinct driving conditions, while expanding its global operations.
Key facts
- Planned public launch
- Toward the end of 2027
- Initial location
- Munich, Germany
- Vehicle
- All-electric Jaguar I-PACE
- Testing phase
- Trained autonomous specialists will drive the vehicles during validation
- Initial fleet
- A small fleet, with plans to scale over time
- Current U.S. operations
- More than 500,000 paid trips per week across 11 U.S. cities
- International significance
- Munich would be Waymo’s first planned robotaxi service in the European Union
Quotes
Tekedra Mawakana
Waymo co-Chief Executive Officer
“Munich is a world-class hub for mobility and engineering, and becoming part of this city marks an important milestone in our global expansion.”
CNBC TV 18
Christian Hirte
Parliamentary state secretary in Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport
“Autonomous driving is the key to the mobility of the future. Our goal must be to ensure that we in Europe not only use these technologies but also develop and operate them here.”
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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