Now the company plans to introduce its autonomous driving technology in Munich – one of the world’s most important centers for automotive engineering and urban mobility.
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In the coming weeks, Waymo cars are expected to appear on the streets of Munich. Initially, they will be manually driven (a human driver will be seated inside and will control the car), and the company plans to gradually test the technology under different urban traffic conditions.
First, high-resolution maps of the local street network will be created, and later the cars will be tested with specially trained autonomous driving specialists present. The company states that this testing phase will allow the autonomous driving system to be adapted to the specific traffic conditions of Munich.
If the tests and permit procedures go according to plan, the company intends to launch the service to the public by the end of 2027, and the cars should already be driving without a human behind the wheel.
Waymo CEO Tekedra Mawakana said that Munich is a world-class mobility and engineering center, so the company’s entry into this city is an important step in expanding its global operations.
“As we prepare for the service launch, our top priority is gaining the community’s trust. We plan to invest in local vehicle fleet infrastructure, create highly skilled jobs, and offer a safe and reliable service to residents and city visitors,” she said.
The company emphasized that Germany has long been one of the most important countries shaping the future of mobility – from world-class automotive engineering to ambitious goals to improve road safety.
Starting operations in Munich, Waymo said it will focus primarily on safety and collaboration. The company is already consulting with local, state, and federal authorities regarding the necessary permits and other steps required to responsibly begin providing services in Germany.
Waymo’s arrival in Germany was positively received by Mike Schubert, head of the Schubert and Wetzel guide dog schools. According to him, reliable transportation is especially important for the blind and visually impaired.
He called the launch of Waymo’s service in Germany a significant step that could provide people with visual impairments safer transportation options and help address some of the problems guide dog users face with traditional taxi and ride-hailing services.
“We are very happy about the independence that autonomous cars will provide to our community,” said M. Schubert.
Waymo states that it supports Munich’s goal of creating a more sustainable and better-integrated urban transport system that increases road safety and improves accessibility.
The company notes that its autonomous cars have already driven more than 350 million kilometers in fully autonomous mode. According to Waymo’s data, in areas where this technology is used, there are 16 times fewer accidents involving serious injuries compared to accidents involving human-driven cars. There are also reportedly 14 times fewer traffic incidents involving pedestrian injuries and six times fewer accidents involving cyclist injuries.
The company says it looks forward to introducing the autonomous ride-hailing service to Munich residents and visitors and familiarizing them with Waymo technology.
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