Waymo’s robotaxi models will initially be tested by human drivers in Munich. The company’s ride-hailing fleet will begin operations towards the end of 2027. German regulators have been allowing autonomous test cars since mid-2021. Several months after Waymo introduced its advanced self-driving robotaxis onto the complex streets of London, the company has revealed that its autonomous ride-hailing service is also coming to Munich, Germany. This will mark the third international location for Waymo after the UK and Japan. Locals shouldn’t fear roads being taken over by Waymo robotaxis just yet, however. The technology firm says its vehicles will initially be driven manually in Munich as it carefully maps local streets, allowing its advanced systems to become familiar with the city’s idiosyncrasies and driving conditions. Read: You Can Now Chat To Waymo’s Newest Robotaxi As It Drives You Around Work has already begun with local, state, and federal officials for all the required regulatory approvals, and only once the company is completely confident in its robotaxis will commercial ride-hailing operations begin towards the end of next year. “Munich is a world-class hub for mobility and engineering, and becoming part of this city marks an important milestone in our global expansion,” Waymo co-chief executive Tekedra Mawakana said. “As we prepare to launch, earning the community’s trust is our top priority. We look forward to investing in local fleet operations, creating high-skilled jobs, and delivering a safe, reliable service for residents and visitors alike.” Waymo’s current ride-hailing fleet completes hundreds of thousands of rides each week, primarily across cities in the United States. It says data from over 217 million miles (350 million kilometers) of fully autonomous driving shows its vehicles experienced 16 times fewer serious-injury crashes than human drivers, as well as 14 times fewer pedestrian crashes that cause injury. It’s been more than five years since Germany adopted legislation allowing for driverless vehicles to drive on public roads, making it the first country in Europe to do so. Companies including Volkswagen and Mobileye already hold permits to test self-driving vehicles in Germany, although most of these are Level 3 permits, not the Level 4 that Waymo is seeking.