Google's Waymo launches in Switzerland, eyes autonomous taxi dominance

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Google's parent company Alphabet, has officially entered the Swiss market by registering Waymo Switzerland GmbH. The company's registered address is at the same location as Google Switzerland in Zurich, signaling a significant move into the European autonomous taxi sector.

While Google Switzerland declined to comment and Waymo remained characteristically tight-lipped, the company's registration clearly states its purpose: "The company aims to provide ride-hailing and related mobility services using autonomous vehicles." Waymo currently operates in eleven U.S. cities and is undergoing a substantial global expansion, with regulatory processes initiated in London and Tokyo. The establishment of subsidiaries in countries like Spain and Germany, alongside Switzerland, indicates a broad European strategy, though specific launch plans have not yet been announced.

The expansion is fueled by a recent $16 billion capital increase, with Alphabet contributing $13 billion. Waymo also counts investments from prominent tech venture capital firms such as A16Z, Silver Lake, and Sequoia Capital, though Alphabet retains over 80% control. The choice of Switzerland for its European base is strategic: Zurich serves as Google's largest research campus outside the U.S., potentially providing a ready pool of internal clients. Furthermore, Switzerland is recognized as a leader in Europe for advancements in automated driving technology.