Waymo's self-driving cars set to invade Japan in 2025
- Waymo partners with Japanese taxi service Nihon Kotsu and app Go to launch self-driving vehicles in Tokyo.
- Initially, human drivers will operate vehicles to map the city before transitioning to fully autonomous operation.
- The expansion reflects Waymo's commitment to shaping autonomous vehicle technology in diverse urban environments.
In early 2025, Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Google's parent company Alphabet, is set to deploy its fully electric self-driving Jaguar I-Pace cars in Tokyo, Japan. The initiative marks a significant expansion of Waymo's operations beyond the United States, where it currently serves cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. To facilitate this international rollout, Waymo has teamed up with Nihon Kotsu, a Japanese taxi service, and the taxi app Go. This partnership will allow the company to navigate the challenges of a densely populated urban environment with unique traffic norms. The integration of the Waymo Driver into Tokyo’s bustling streets is intended to be gradual. Initially, human drivers will manually operate the vehicles to map critical areas within the city while the autonomous systems learn to adjust to left-hand traffic and other local driving nuances. This approach is aimed at accelerating the development of Waymo's self-driving technology by gathering valuable data and experience in a new environment. The knowledge gained during this phase will help inform and refine future implementations of the Waymo technology. Waymo aims for a responsible and seamless adaptation of its services in Japan, actively engaging with local policymakers, regulators, and safety officials. The company expresses a commitment to ensuring that its technology is implemented thoughtfully and with a focus on safety. These steps are part of a broader strategy for expansion, which includes upcoming launches in Miami and a partnership with Uber in cities such as Austin and Atlanta. The move into Tokyo also comes as the company faces a competitive landscape in the robotaxi market, evidenced by the recent retreat of General Motors from its Cruise robotaxi initiative. This backdrop underscores the challenges and complexities involved in scaling self-driving technology, which requires significant resources and technological advancements. Nevertheless, Waymo remains a frontrunner in the autonomous vehicle sector, with a series of strategic expansions positioning it for continued growth in the coming years.