Waymo Partners with Nihon Kotsu for Tokyo Expansion
Waymo, making waves in autonomous driving technology, is gearing up for an exciting milestone: its first international road trip.
In collaboration with Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo's largest taxi company and GO, the leading mobility platform in Japan, Waymo will introduce its cutting-edge autonomous vehicles to Tokyo.
The journey marks a significant step in Waymo's mission to transform transportation on a global scale.
Bringing autonomous innovation to Japan
"Konnichiwa" and hello, Japan! Waymo's upcoming venture into Tokyo represents more than just a road trip; it's an opportunity to learn and grow.
The city's bustling streets will serve as a proving ground for Waymo's autonomous driving system, as the vehicles adapt to left-hand traffic patterns and the unique driving challenges of one of the world's most densely populated urban landscapes.
The endeavour highlights Waymo's dedication to learning from and integrating into local environments. Partnering with local stakeholders, including policymakers and community groups, Waymo is committed to understanding Tokyo's transportation ecosystem and ensuring its technology effectively serves the city's residents.
Aligning with Japan's vision for the future of mobility
Waymo's expansion into Tokyo aligns seamlessly with Japan's forward-thinking approach to transportation innovation. The Japanese National and Tokyo Metropolitan governments have long prioritised advancing safety, mobility and technology.
By fostering partnerships with regulators and safety officials, Waymo aims to responsibly and seamlessly integrate its autonomous vehicles into Tokyo's streets.
"We're thrilled to announce this collaboration with Nihon Kotsu and GO as we embark on this transformative journey," a Waymo representative shares. "It's an incredible opportunity to contribute to Japan's evolving transportation landscape while advancing the capabilities of our AI-powered driver."
The journey begins in early 2025
The first wave of Waymo's all-electric Jaguar I-PACEs will arrive in Tokyo in early 2025. Nihon Kotsu will play a pivotal role in managing and servicing the fleet, ensuring smooth operations throughout the deployment.
To prepare, Nihon Kotsu's team will undergo training to operate vehicles equipped with Waymo's autonomous driving technology.
Initially, Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually operate these vehicles to map key areas of Tokyo, including iconic districts like Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa and Kōtō.
The mapping phase is essential for building a comprehensive understanding of Tokyo's streets, laying the groundwork for the autonomous system to navigate effectively.
Accelerating innovation through learning
The Tokyo pilot phase isn't just about testing—it's about accelerating the development of the Waymo Driver. Through hands-on experience and simulation, Waymo aims to refine its system to generalise better across diverse driving environments.
The global expansion builds on Waymo's proven safety framework, guiding its journey from the world's first fully-autonomous ride on public roads to millions of miles driven across the US. The company is ready to apply this expertise to its first kilometres in Tokyo.
Waymo's entry into Tokyo is an exciting chapter in its journey to redefine transportation.
The company states: "We look forward to working closely with Nihon Kotsu, GO and Tokyo's residents to make this venture a success."
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