Waymo is reportedly preparing to launch its robotaxi service in Berlin, following plans for a Munich debut. According to internal documents from the Berlin Senate Administration, the company intends to map the city using up to 50 test vehicles before the end of this year. Commercial operations in the German capital are targeted for 2027.
The Berlin city administration confirmed that discussions with Waymo are well advanced. A spokesperson for the Senate Department for Transport noted the city's interest in testing autonomous vehicles. Waymo has not officially confirmed the Berlin launch or the timeline, stating only that it aims to expand its service across Germany.
Waymo currently operates in 14 US cities, including recent expansions to Denver, San Diego, and Tampa. In Germany, the company must secure several regulatory approvals, including a Level 4 autonomous driving permit from the Federal Motor Transport Authority and a commercial license under the Passenger Transport Act, which does not yet cover driverless vehicles.
For the Munich project, Waymo plans to begin test drives with human drivers in the coming weeks. The commercial service launch in Munich is scheduled for the end of 2027. Waymo remains the first company to present the Berlin administration with a detailed business plan and a specific strategy for vehicle scaling.
