Waymo robotaxis arrive in Europe: what about France?

Published 2026-10-21

Autonomous vehicle technology is reaching a new milestone in Europe. The American company Waymo, which specializes in driverless taxis, has just announced the launch of tests in Madrid, Spain. A total of sixteen connected cars have received authorization to drive on the streets of the Spanish capital to collect data essential to their operation.

These trials represent a major step forward for the smart mobility sector. Waymo's goal is to allow the first passengers to board these vehicles by 2027. For the moment, these cars are operating without passengers on board, under the constant supervision of technical experts tasked with analyzing the systems' behavior in a dense urban environment.

However, this technology will not be available in France in the near future. No date has been announced regarding a potential arrival of Waymo robotaxis on French territory. European and national legislation remains very strict regarding the safety of autonomous vehicles, which is slowing the deployment of these services compared to the United States.

In France, the development of autonomous transport is currently focused on specific projects, such as shuttles on short routes or in pedestrian zones. French authorities are favoring a cautious approach while waiting for the technology to prove its total reliability in complex traffic conditions. It will therefore be necessary to wait a while longer before seeing driverless taxis on the streets of Paris or other major French cities.

Sources: JeChange

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