Robotaxis — autonomous taxis without a driver — are no longer science fiction. In the US, Waymo is already completing 450,000 paid rides per week across 6 cities, while in China, Baidu Apollo serves millions of passengers. The question is no longer “if” but "when" we’ll see robotaxis on European roads. In this article, we analyze the companies, the cities, the legislation, and the timeline.
📖 Read more: Tesla FSD vs Waymo: Which System Wins?
What Exactly Is a Robotaxi?
A robotaxi is an autonomous car at SAE Level 4 or 5 that operates as a taxi through a ride-hailing platform — without a driver behind the wheel. The passenger requests the vehicle via an app, gets in, taps “Start ride,” and the car takes them to their destination. Thanks to LiDAR, cameras, radar, and artificial intelligence, the vehicle detects pedestrians, traffic lights, obstacles, and navigates autonomously within geofenced areas.
SAE Autonomous Driving Levels
| Level | Description | Driver? |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0-1 | None / basic assistance | Always the human |
| Level 2 | Partial automation (Tesla Autopilot, etc.) | Driver monitors at all times |
| Level 3 | Conditional automation (Mercedes DRIVE PILOT) | Driver takes over on demand |
| Level 4 ⭐ | Full autonomy in zone — Robotaxi | No driver needed |
| Level 5 | Full autonomy everywhere | Theoretical — doesn’t exist yet |
Who’s Leading the Way Globally?
Waymo (Alphabet/Google) — The Undisputed Leader
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet (Google), is the global leader in robotaxis. Key figures as of late 2025:
- 2,500 robotaxis in operation (November 2025)
- 450,000 paid rides/week (December 2025) — targeting 1 million by end of 2026
- Operating in Phoenix, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, Miami
- Expanding to 20+ new cities within 2026 (Las Vegas, San Diego, Detroit, Dallas, Washington D.C., etc.)
- Uses Jaguar I-Pace (electric) and soon Hyundai Ioniq 5 & Zeekr
- Study with Swiss Re: 90% fewer accidents compared to human drivers (25 million miles of data)
- Total funding: over $11 billion
Tesla Cybercab — The Ambitious Challenger
Tesla takes a different approach: instead of LiDAR, it relies exclusively on cameras + AI (Tesla Vision). The Tesla Cybercab, unveiled in October 2024:
- Features 2 seats — no steering wheel, no pedals
- Range of ~320 km (200 miles) with a 35 kWh battery
- Estimated price: under $30,000
- Wireless charging (inductive charging) with >90% efficiency
- Production: Q2 2026 (confirmed by Musk, November 2025)
- The Tesla Robotaxi service launched in June 2025 in Austin, Texas with a flat rate of $4.20/ride
Baidu Apollo Go — The Chinese Giant
Baidu operates Apollo Go in 10+ Chinese cities with 400 fully autonomous robotaxis in Wuhan (24/7 service). Notable highlights:
- Over 100 million kilometers of autonomous driving without a serious accident
- Robotaxi fares in Wuhan: from 4 yuan ($0.55) — vs 18 yuan for a regular taxi
- 6th-generation robotaxi costing under $30,000/vehicle
- 7 million rides completed by July 2024
Top Companies Comparison
| Feature | Waymo | Tesla | Baidu Apollo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | LiDAR + Cameras + Radar | Cameras Only (Tesla Vision) | LiDAR + Cameras + Radar |
| Fleet | 2,500 (2025) | Limited (Austin) | 400+ (Wuhan) |
| Cities | 6 active + 20 announced | 1 (Austin, TX) | 10+ Chinese cities |
| Europe? | London: Sep 2026 | No announcement | No announcement |
| Cost/ride | Similar to Uber | $4,20 flat | From $0.55 |
When Are They Coming to Europe?
🇬🇧 London — The First European City
In October 2025, Waymo announced it would launch a robotaxi service in London starting September 2026. It will be the company’s first international market (along with Tokyo). According to the BBC (January 2026), testing will begin with a safety driver before public operation.
The United Kingdom is preparing legislatively: in May 2024, the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 was passed, establishing a comprehensive framework for autonomous vehicles — covering liability, insurance, and criminal penalties.
🇩🇪 Germany — Pioneering Level 4 Legislation
Germany became the first country in the world to legislate for Level 4 autonomous driving on public roads (July 2021). The “Federal Act Amending the Road Traffic Act” allows the operation of autonomous vehicles without a driver in designated zones. In February 2022, the implementing regulation (AFGBV) was issued, governing licensing and operations.
🇫🇷 France — Autonomous Mobility Strategy
France passed the Mobility Orientation Law in December 2019 and updated its strategy in 2020 to become the preferred location in Europe for autonomous mobility. The legislative framework was completed with a decree in April 2021 and an implementing regulation in June 2021.
🇪🇺 EU — Unified Regulatory Framework
At the European level, Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 (General Safety Regulation) came into force in July 2022, creating the legal framework for the approval of automated and fully autonomous vehicles (Level 3 and above). In parallel, the UNECE R157 regulation for Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) was updated in June 2022, increasing the permitted speed limit from 60 to 130 km/h.
Robotaxi Timeline in Europe
How Much Does a Ride Cost?
According to The Economist and McKinsey, robotaxis are still operating at a loss (2025). The operating cost is $7–9 per mile, while a private car costs $1/mile. McKinsey estimates that bringing it below $2/mile will take until 2035.
| Provider | Cost/Ride | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Waymo (USA) | Similar to Uber/Lyft | ~$15–25 average urban ride |
| Tesla Robotaxi (Austin) | $4,20 flat | Much lower — introductory price |
| Baidu (Wuhan) | From $0.55 | 75% cheaper than a regular taxi |
| Regular taxi (Athens) | €5–15 urban | Baseline reference |
Safety: Are They Safer Than Humans?
The data so far is encouraging but with caveats:
Waymo-Swiss Re Study (2024):
- 25 million autonomous driving miles
- 2 bodily injury claims (Waymo at fault) vs 26 expected from humans — 90% reduction
- 9 property damage claims vs 78 expected — 88% reduction
- Note: the sample (25M miles) is considered statistically small
However, there have been issues: robotaxis blocking traffic lights, passing school buses, creating traffic problems, or entering police operation zones. In January 2026, the NHTSA launched an investigation after a Waymo collided with a child near a school (minor injuries).
What About Greece?
Greece does not yet have specific legislation for Level 4 autonomous vehicles or robotaxis. However, as an EU member, it falls under Regulation 2019/2144 and the UNECE regulations. Realistically:
- 2026–2027: Possible pilot tests in controlled environments (e.g., Thessaloniki, Athens)
- 2028–2030: Possible commercial operation in tourist zones or airports
- Challenges: Narrow streets, illegal parking, poor signage, lack of HD mapping
- HD mapping (a prerequisite for robotaxis) does not yet exist for Greek cities
Challenges & Concerns
Legislation
Every country has different rules. There is no unified global framework. In Europe, legislation is progressing but slowly.
Jobs
Millions of taxi/ride-hailing drivers are at risk. In Boston, unions and city council members are already opposing it.
Weather Conditions
Snow, rain, and fog drastically reduce LiDAR and camera capabilities. Tests in Buffalo, NY are being conducted for winter conditions.
Profitability
Cost of $7–9/mile vs $1 for a private car. McKinsey estimate: break-even at $2/mile after 2035.
Public Acceptance
Reactions have been intense: in San Francisco, protesters placed cones on top of robotaxis, and in February 2024, a Waymo was set on fire. In Los Angeles, in June 2025, several vehicles were vandalized. Public acceptance will determine the speed of expansion in Europe.
Verdict
Robotaxis are coming to Europe, but at a slow pace. The first real service will be in London (September 2026) via Waymo. Continental Europe — Germany, France, Switzerland — has the legislation but still lacks the commercial push.
For Greece, we’re realistically looking at after 2028–2030 in pilot form. Greek roads (narrow, irregular, with poor signage) pose a challenge, but tourist zones and airports could be the first points of deployment.
What is certain: the technology is maturing rapidly. With 450,000 rides/week already in the US and a 90% reduction in accidents, the question is not “if” but “when” robotaxis will become an everyday reality.