Alberto González, CEO of Cabify España, says autonomous cars could be on Spanish streets by 2027. He sees this as no distant prospect: "The autonomous car is a reality that is already here," he says.
González spoke at the Foro Económico de El Diario Montañés. The immediate questions, he said, are which cities will see these cars first and how people will adjust. For Cabify, driverless cars do not mean cutting jobs or upending the sector overnight. González expects them to work alongside existing services, as VTCs once expanded the taxi market without wiping it out.
Cinco Días reported that in September 2026, Spain authorized the first national pilot tests for Level 4 robotaxis in Madrid, allowing Uber, WeRide, and AVOMO to operate 20 autonomous vehicles on public roads.
"The arrival of the autonomous car will be disruptive but it will not come to replace anything," González said. He stressed that many rides will still need a human driver. Cabify’s 4,000 direct employees remain basic to the company’s plans. He called for a gradual transition, with laws to protect everyone involved.
Cabify says it wants to bring people together. González pointed to the company’s work to add taxi drivers to its platform, already underway in several cities. In Madrid, thousands of taxi drivers now use Cabify’s app. González says this helps drivers earn more and gives riders more choice.
On regulation, González said, "the taxi has reason in many aspects." He welcomed Madrid’s new special access permit for VTC drivers, saying it helps professionalize the sector and keep competition fair. Official information from Comunidad de Madrid says all vehicles for hire with up to nine seats need a specific VTC authorization. Autonomous services will also require clear laws beyond the usual transport rules.
Computerworld España reported that commercial rides are not yet allowed, although pilot robotaxi tests are underway. After the test phase, vehicles will need separate certification. Full-scale operations hinge on new European regulations expected to take effect in January 2027.
Urban transport in Spain is already changing. New companies and technologies are disrupting old habits, while the push for fresh ideas extends beyond ride-hailing. As reported earlier, carmakers like BYD are moving in quickly, crowding the market and speeding up change.
Cabify stands out for seeking a smooth transition. González does not see autonomous cars as a threat; he calls them the next step in a sector that has already undergone major changes. The company’s plan to work with taxi and VTC drivers, alongside its push for balanced rules, points to a future shaped by adaptation, with less room for conflict.
Spain’s test will be whether this shift makes city travel more efficient and greener while keeping it open to all. If Cabify’s plan works, the sector could leave old battles behind and build a system where technology and tradition advance together, benefiting drivers and passengers in a market known for friction.
