Waymo to Test Autonomous Vehicles in Tokyo

Waymo is set to begin testing its autonomous vehicle technology in Tokyo in early 2025, marking its first international expansion outside the U.S. The company will collaborate with Nihon Kotsu, Japan's largest taxi operator, and taxi app GO to deploy a fleet of Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, initially driven manually to gather mapping data in densely populated areas. While Waymo is not yet planning to provide commercial services in Tokyo, the initiative aims to adapt its technology to local driving conditions, including left-hand traffic. This testing phase is part of Waymo's broader strategy to expand its robotaxi services, which currently operate in several U.S. cities. The decision comes amid challenges faced by competitors like GM's Cruise, which has halted its robotaxi program. Waymo's approach includes engaging local partners and officials to integrate smoothly into Tokyo's transportation landscape.