Waymo mentioned it goals to turn out to be part of the Tokyo transportation ecosystem, enhancing security and mobility. | Supply: Waymo
Waymo LLC’s autonomous automobiles will start driving on public roads in Tokyo subsequent week. This marks the corporate’s first deployment exterior the U.S. and furthers its partnership with Dihon Kotsu and GO.
Through the testing, skilled Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually drive Waymo automobiles throughout seven central-Tokyo wards, together with Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō. The firm mentioned this handbook operation will present its engineers expertise to check, refine, and adapt its autonomous driving expertise to native visitors patterns and street options.
“After months of robust collaboration with Nihon Kotsu and GO, Waymo has reached a historic milestone — our first enterprise on worldwide public roads,” acknowledged Nicole Gavel, head of enterprise improvement and strategic partnerships at Waymo.
“Our partnership demonstrates how Waymo’s 15 years of operational experience can adapt to new environments via strategic initiatives with business leaders,” she added. “In Tokyo, we’re abiding by the identical steadfast ideas that information us within the U.S. — dedication to security, dedication to incomes belief in communities the place we function, and collaboration with native officers and group teams right here in Tokyo.”
Waymo lays groundwork for Tokyo deployment
Waymo first introduced its plans to carry its robotaxis to Japan in December 2024. The corporate mentioned its preparation in Tokyo has been complete.
Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo’s largest taxi firm, will oversee the administration and servicing of the automobiles. Waymo skilled the groups from taxicab app supplier GO and Nihon Kotsu on fleet-management greatest practices and established first-responder coaching protocols.
“Since my first experience in Phoenix, which deeply moved me, I’m thrilled to lastly see Waymo automobiles arrive in Japan,” mentioned Ichiro Kawanabe, the chairman of GO, board director of Nihon Kotsu, and chairman of the Japan Taxi Affiliation. “I’m significantly grateful that Waymo selected Tokyo for this launch. Whereas I had coaching to function Waymo automobiles within the U.S., I consider we’ve constructed an excellent stronger unified group with Waymo members right here.”
Waymo has additionally began constructing relationships with the broader group via outreach to the general public, native organizations, and authorities businesses, in keeping with Reuters. As the corporate introduces its providers to Tokyo, it mentioned it plans to proceed working intently with Japanese policymakers, regulators, and native security officers.
Extra robotaxis take to the street
Waymo has achieved robust momentum within the U.S. in recent times. It mentioned it now delivers extra 200,000 absolutely autonomous rides weekly throughout its deployments in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
Already in 2025, the Mountain View, Calif.-based firm made its robotaxis obtainable in Austin solely via the Uber app.
Whereas the corporate’s longtime rival, Cruise, is not in operation, Waymo nonetheless faces competitors from robotaxi corporations like Zoox and Nuro, that are earlier of their deployment journeys.
In 2024, Nuro expanded its capabilities utilizing zero-occupant automobiles with the Nuro Driver system, whereas Zoox has grown its operations in California and Nevada.
Waymo can be planning to to launch providers in Miami, Atlanta, and Washington. D.C.. The Mountain View, Calif.-based firm gained the 2025 RBR50 Robotic of the Yr award for its achievements. Study extra in regards to the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award winners on the RBR50 Gala on the Robotics Summit & Expo.
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