Waymo robotaxis are coming to Tokyo in 2025

Waymo will test autonomous taxis in Tokyo in 2025 with Nihon Kotsu and GO.

: Waymo will begin testing its autonomous vehicle technology in Tokyo in early 2025. This marks the first time its robotaxis will operate outside the U.S. Waymo partners with Nihon Kotsu for management and uses a development program called “road trips.” Initially, Waymo maps with human drivers in key Tokyo areas before testing autonomous driving.

Waymo plans to introduce its autonomous vehicle technology in Tokyo for the first time in 2025, marking its international debut outside the United States. The initiative is part of Waymo's development program called “road trips,” which seeks to adapt its technology to different urban challenges, including Tokyo's left-hand driving and dense cityscape.

Waymo has previously conducted road trips in various U.S. cities to test its technology under specific conditions, such as Miami's rain and California's heat. In Tokyo, Waymo will partner with the taxi-hailing app GO and taxi company Nihon Kotsu, who will manage the servicing of Waymo vehicles and help in mapping key urban areas manually before transitioning to autonomous testing.

Initially, licensed drivers from Nihon Kotsu will drive Waymo's self-driving Jaguar I-Pace vehicles to gather data in locations like Minato, Shinjuku, and Shibuya. This announcement coincides with GM ending its Cruise robotaxi program, which included a plan to launch a driverless service in Japan with Honda by 2026, showing changes in the autonomous vehicle landscape.

WaymoAutonomous vehiclesRobotaxis