Waymo Plans Robotaxi Service in Madrid, With First Riders Targeted for 2027

A phased rollout starting with manual driving

According to Waymo, the company is laying the groundwork for its driverless ride-hailing service in Spain, with the Region of Madrid as the first location. The company says it has completed over 20 million trips and serves hundreds of thousands of commercial rides each week.

Waymo describes its approach as "methodical, phased, safety-first". It begins with manual driving and then moves on to rigorous technical validation, with local, trained autonomous specialists behind the wheel. According to the company, this validation period is meant to ensure the Waymo Driver adapts to the region's traffic patterns and road conditions.

The company says residents will start to see its electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles on the streets of the region in the coming days. The target for welcoming the first riders is 2027.

Working with authorities and local partners

Waymo says it is actively engaging with national, regional and local authorities. It is also familiarising emergency services with its technology as it prepares to serve riders safely in the future. The company adds that it is engaging with local partners and investing in the local operations needed to support the service.

The stated aim is a collaborative presence that aligns with Spanish national and regional regulatory frameworks and community needs. Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said: "Madrid is an incredible capital of innovation and an integral part of our growing global presence. We can't wait to serve Madrileños."

Mawakana added that Waymo shares the region's commitment to "safer, more accessible, and zero-emission mobility" and looks forward to serving as a collaborative partner in achieving those goals.

Safety claims and voices from Spanish road safety groups

Waymo cites data from over 400 million fully autonomous kilometres driven. According to the company, the Waymo Driver was involved in 95% fewer (20x fewer) crashes involving serious injury or worse compared to humans in the cities where it operates. These figures are Waymo's own claims.

Two Spanish organisations are quoted in the announcement. Ignacio Lijarcio, President of the Spanish Road Safety Foundation (FESVIAL), said autonomous driving represents "a great opportunity to turn innovation into an ally of human capability and road safety". Mar Cogollos, Director for the Spanish Association for the Study of Spinal Cord Injury (AESLEME), said human error is behind more than 90% of road accidents and that the technology removes risks such as distractions, fatigue, alcohol and drug consumption, and speeding.

What it means for Madrid residents

For people in the Region of Madrid, the announcement marks the start of a preparation phase rather than a launch. Riders cannot yet use the service, and the first passengers are planned for 2027. In the meantime, the vehicles will first be driven manually and then tested with specialists at the wheel.

Waymo invites interested residents to sign up for updates at waymo.com/waymo-in-spain. The announcement gives no details on pricing, service areas or exact launch dates, so those questions remain open.