Waymo ready to take robotaxis to Japan

Waymo on Monday announced plans to deploy some of its robotaxis to Japan in early 2025, marking the first time the self-driving vehicles will operate outside the U.S.

The robotaxis will participate in a trial in Tokyo, in partnership with local taxi companies Nihon Kotsu and GO. The trial is intended to help Waymo’s AI-powered self-driving system, known as the Waymo Driver, learn and adapt to driving on the opposite side of the road, as well as in urban environments that are significantly more densely populated than those in the U.S.

The robotaxis will be based on the Jaguar I-Pace electric crossover. Initially, human drivers—taxi drivers who work for Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo’s largest taxi company—will operate the vehicles.

Japan is actively pursuing the introduction of robotaxis due to its shrinking population, which is causing an acute shortage of taxi drivers. This shortage coincides with the aging population’s increasing demand for ride services. Earlier this year, Nissan announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in Japan by 2027.

Waymo’s robotaxis to test on Japanese roads starting from early 2025

Waymo is a leader in the robotaxi sector. It currently operates public services in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, along with a limited service in Austin. Collectively, these services provide approximately 150,000 rides per week.

Waymo plans to launch full services in Austin and Atlanta in 2025, with Miami to follow in 2026.

A former competitor of Waymo, Cruise, had intended to launch a robotaxi service in Japan by 2026. However, General Motors, Cruise’s primary backer with a 90% stake, announced on Dec. 10 that it is shutting down Cruise and integrating the company’s resources with GM technical teams developing self-driving technology for privately owned vehicles.