Waymo to launch robotaxis in Munich, first in the EU

Waymo, a subsidiary of Google, has announced plans to deploy robotaxis in Munich by the end of next year. This move will make Munich the first city in the European Union to offer driverless car services to residents and tourists.

The project is scheduled to begin a testing phase in September, during which vehicles will map the city's road network. Initially, trained professionals will operate the vehicles to adapt the driving systems to local traffic conditions.

Waymo currently operates approximately 4,000 autonomous Jaguar SUVs across 11 major US cities and has plans to expand to 18 more locations, with potential future expansions into London and Tokyo. The company reports that its system has completed over 350 million miles without human intervention and over 20 million paid trips in the United States, claiming the technology is significantly safer than human-driven vehicles.