Waymo is strengthening its partnership with Toyota as the two companies begin testing autonomous taxi technology in Japan, moving closer to a driverless ride-hailing launch.
The companies are currently equipping Toyota bZ4X crossovers with Waymo's self-driving hardware and software at the Takaoka plant in Toyota City. After completing validation and securing Level 4 autonomous driving approval, they plan to introduce the driverless bZ4X fleet in Japan as early as 2027. The collaboration will then expand to other right-hand-drive markets, starting with the UK.
Waymo has already been testing autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in Tokyo since last year, with Nihon Kotsu Co. drivers operating the cars to help train the AI.
Waymo's first Tokyo fleet is expected to launch next year, but it is not yet known when the bZ4X will be added to the service.
Source
