Waymo Partners with Toyota to Deploy Electric Robotaxis in Japan and the U.K.

Image: TechCrunch · Source

Waymo will begin testing autonomous Toyota bZ4X electric vehicles in Japan next year, aiming to expand robotaxi services to Japan and right-hand drive markets like the U.K., under a new partnership with Toyota.

Waymo announced a strategic partnership with Toyota to supply its next-generation robotaxis for international markets, with a focus on Japan and the U.K. Starting next year, autonomous versions of Toyota’s 2027 electric bZ4X vehicles (rebranded as BZ in North America) will be tested in Japan, where Waymo plans to eventually operate a commercial robotaxi service. The vehicles, equipped with Waymo's advanced self-driving technology, will be manufactured and integrated at Toyota’s Takaoka factory in Japan.

The partnership builds upon an agreement signed 18 months ago that was initially exploratory in nature. Now, it resembles a classic vehicle supplier arrangement, allowing Waymo to expand its robotaxi fleet with a regionally tailored electric vehicle designed for right-hand drive countries like the U.K. Currently, Waymo has been testing autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in London and aims to launch a robotaxi operation there pending regulatory approval.

Beyond robotaxis, Toyota and Waymo intend to explore integrating autonomous technologies into personally owned Toyota vehicles. They also plan to investigate future initiatives leveraging insights from Waymo’s operational data to enhance road safety, potentially including vehicle-to-infrastructure integration.

Hiroki Nakajima, Toyota’s executive vice president, highlighted the partnership’s dual goals: scaling autonomous ride-hailing services in Japan and internationally through Waymo and improving traffic safety via deeper vehicle and infrastructure connectivity. This collaboration represents a significant step in deploying electric, autonomous vehicles in new markets and advancing transportation safety technologies.