Waymo partners with Toyota to build robotaxis in Japan
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 16:53 · Archive
Waymo and Toyota will test autonomous bZ4X electric vehicles in Japan from 2027, with plans to deploy them to the UK and other right-hand drive markets.
Waymo and Toyota have announced a partnership under which Toyota will manufacture bZ4X electric vehicles equipped with Waymo's self-driving system at its Takaoka factory in Japan. The autonomous vehicles will undergo initial testing and validation in Japan starting in 2027, with plans to eventually deploy them to other right-hand drive markets including the UK.
Toyota will build the vehicles on its assembly line and install Waymo's self-driving sensors and computers during manufacture, rather than retrofitting them afterwards. This represents a shift in Waymo's approach: until now, the company has bought finished vehicles and shipped them to separate facilities to add autonomous driving hardware.
Waymo is already testing its Jaguar I-Pace autonomous vehicles in London and plans to launch a robotaxi service there once it obtains the necessary permits. In Japan, Waymo has been working with Tokyo taxi company Nihon Kotsu Co. to test its vehicles, with plans to launch a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Tokyo next year.
The partnership builds on a preliminary agreement the companies signed in April 2025. Both Waymo and Toyota said in a statement that they aim to 'accelerate scaling safety-validated Level 4 autonomous vehicles globally' by combining 'Toyota's global manufacturing and vehicle development expertise with Waymo's fully autonomous technology'.
The bZ4X will join Waymo's existing fleet, which currently includes the Jaguar I-Pace and vehicles based on the Zeekr RT, with a third model based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 set to deploy soon. The companies also said they will continue to explore bringing Waymo's autonomous technology to personally owned Toyota vehicles and other future initiatives.
How it is being reported
- Waymo’s next robotaxi is a purpose-built Toyota bZ4XWaymo announced today that when it launches a robotaxi service in Tokyo in 2027, it will use Toyota bZ4X electric vehicles that are assembled in Japan. The news builds on the strategic partnership between Waymo and Toyota which was first announced in April 2025. The robotaxis will be built entirely under one roof at Toyota's […]The Verge · 30 Oct, 13:52
- Waymo and Toyota will soon start testing their robotaxis in JapanWaymo and Toyota will start testing autonomous bZ4X vehicles in Japan next year. (edited)Engadget · 30 Oct, 10:23
- Waymo taps Toyota to supply robotaxis for Japan and the U.K.Waymo will begin testing self-driving versions of Toyota's electric bZ4X vehicles in Japan next year as part of a broader partnership with the automaker.TechCrunch · 30 Oct, 07:01
In this story: Waymo · Toyota · Japan · UK · Takaoka · London · Tokyo · Nihon Kotsu Co.
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log
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