Waymo to launch autonomous robotaxi service in Madrid by 2027

Waymo, the autonomous driving unit of Alphabet, has announced plans to launch a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in the Madrid region of Spain in 2027. This expansion marks the company’s first deployment in Spain and its second in the European Union, following established operations in London and Munich.

In the coming weeks, Waymo will begin a phased testing program using electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. The initial stage involves manual driving by trained specialists to collect data and map local traffic patterns, including urban environments in Madrid, Alcobendas, and Getafe. This will be followed by technical validation with autonomous specialists before transitioning to fully driverless passenger services.

The company aims to scale its fleet significantly, with some reports suggesting a goal of reaching 20,000 vehicles by the end of 2027. Waymo will operate under the testing framework established by Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT). The move places Waymo in a growing competitive landscape in Madrid, alongside other players like Uber, Bolt, and WeRide, who are also targeting autonomous operations in the region.