Waymo has announced plans to bring its self-driving vehicles to Tokyo in early 2025, marking the company's first venture outside the United States. The Alphabet-owned autonomous driving company will partner with Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo's largest taxi operator, and ride-hailing platform GO to navigate one of the world's most complex urban environments.
Key Points:
- Waymo will begin testing its all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Tokyo in early 2025, partnering with taxi operator Nihon Kotsu and ride-hailing app GO
- Initial testing will involve manual operation by Nihon Kotsu drivers to map seven key districts in Tokyo, including Minato, Shinjuku, and Shibuya
- The expansion aligns with Japan's vision for autonomous transportation solutions, particularly as the country grapples with an aging population
The initiative represents a significant learning opportunity for Waymo's AI-powered driver system, which will need to adapt to left-hand traffic and the unique driving patterns of Tokyo's dense metropolitan area. Nihon Kotsu drivers will initially operate the vehicles manually, focusing on mapping seven key districts in the Japanese capital, including the bustling areas of Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Minato.
"Our upcoming road trip to Tokyo gives us the chance to work alongside local partners, government officials, and community groups to understand the new landscape," Waymo stated in their announcement. The company plans to leverage data collected during these manual operations to train their AI systems, while simultaneously conducting tests on a closed course in the United States designed to replicate Japanese driving conditions.
The timing of Waymo's expansion aligns with Japan's broader transportation strategy. The Japanese government has been actively preparing for autonomous vehicles, designating specific areas as testing zones to accelerate the development of driverless transportation systems. This initiative takes on added significance given Japan's aging population, which presents unique mobility challenges that autonomous vehicles could help address.
The announcement comes just a week after General Motors announced the shuttering of its Cruise robotaxi division. This makes Waymo's international expansion particularly noteworthy, as it demonstrates the company's confidence in its technology and business model.
Waymo's move into Tokyo follows a series of domestic expansions throughout 2024, including new operations in Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, and Atlanta. While the company hasn't yet committed to launching commercial services in Tokyo, the partnership with Nihon Kotsu, which will manage and service the vehicles, suggests a long-term commitment to the Japanese market.
The autonomous vehicle landscape in Tokyo is becoming increasingly active, with local players like Tier IV and ZMP already testing delivery vehicles and buses. Meanwhile, Monet Technologies, partially owned by Toyota, has announced plans for self-driving taxi services in Tokyo's Odaiba district.