Waymo, the global leader in driverless robotaxis, has publicly announced its intention to enter South Korea's market, signaling aggressive international expansion beyond its current operations in six U.S. cities. The company established a Korean unit on July 24 and is already conducting verification tests with Hyundai Motor using the Ioniq 5 electric vehicle.

What Is Waymo's Strategy for Entering Korea?

Steven Han, a managing director at Waymo, delivered a keynote address at the 2026 Global Mobility Conference in Seoul on September 7, outlining the company's vision for overseas expansion. Han stated that Waymo is "expanding into overseas markets, including London and Tokyo, as we look beyond 2027," and added, "We want to enter Korea as well". However, the company has not yet disclosed specific business plans, such as domestic test operations or a service launch date.

Han

The timing of Waymo's Korean push comes as the autonomous vehicle industry intensifies globally. Waymo currently operates driverless robotaxis around the clock in six U.S. cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, Atlanta, and Miami. The company's track record is substantial, with over 220 million miles of fully autonomous driving data collected, which Han cited as evidence of safety superiority over human drivers.

How Is Waymo Partnering With Hyundai to Test Its Technology?

• Vehicle Platform: Waymo is integrating its sixth-generation autonomous driving system, known as Waymo Driver, into Hyundai's Ioniq 5 electric vehicle for verification testing.
• Technology Focus: The sixth-generation Waymo Driver is designed to deliver better performance in harsh winter conditions, a critical capability for Korean markets with seasonal weather challenges.
• Testing Approach: The two companies are running verification tests for fully driverless operation with autonomous driving specialists on board to monitor performance and safety.

"We are integrating the sixth-generation Waymo Driver, a fully autonomous driving system expected to deliver better performance in harsh winter conditions, into the Ioniq 5. This combines a world-class electric vehicle manufacturer with our engineering technology," stated Steven Han, Managing Director at Waymo.

Steven Han, Managing Director at Waymo

What Safety Data Does Waymo Cite to Support Its Market Entry?

Waymo's confidence in entering new markets rests on an impressive safety record. According to Han, Waymo's data shows that airbag deployment crashes fell 94 percent compared with ordinary vehicles, and injury crashes dropped 82 percent. These statistics underscore the company's claim that its fully autonomous driving service is safer than human-driven vehicles.

The company's operational scale is also noteworthy. Waymo provides more than 500,000 rides per week across major U.S. cities, demonstrating both the maturity of its service and the volume of real-world data it collects continuously. This data advantage is central to Waymo's competitive positioning as it expands internationally.

Why Does Korea Matter for Waymo's Global Ambitions?

South Korea represents a strategically important market for autonomous vehicle deployment. The country has a dense urban infrastructure, advanced telecommunications networks, and a strong automotive manufacturing base through companies like Hyundai Motor. By establishing operations in Korea, Waymo gains access to both a large potential customer base and a partnership with one of the world's leading electric vehicle manufacturers.

Han emphasized that "every choice Waymo makes is about improving safety and building trust," suggesting that the company's entry into Korea will follow the same cautious, data-driven approach it has used in U.S. markets. The partnership with Hyundai also signals that Waymo is willing to work with established automakers rather than operating exclusively with its own vehicle platforms, a strategy that could accelerate deployment timelines.

Han

As the robotaxi industry matures, international expansion has become a key differentiator among competitors. Waymo's move into Korea, combined with its ongoing operations in London and Tokyo, positions the company as a truly global autonomous vehicle service provider, not merely a U.S.-focused operation.