Waymo plans to launch robotaxis in Tokyo in 2027 — The Japan Times
Waymo, a company owned by Alphabet, plans to launch a fully autonomous taxi service in Tokyo, Japan, in 2027. To do so, it will cooperate with the Japanese taxi companies Go and Nihon Kotsu.
As The Japan Times reports, the service will begin with a small fleet that is planned to be gradually expanded to 100 vehicles. Rides will be available to order through the Go and Waymo apps.
Permits for launch
Waymo said it still needs to obtain the relevant permits and licenses to operate in Japan. Current Japanese rules require a person to be present in the driver’s seat regardless of the vehicle’s level of autonomy.
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The company has been testing the technology in Tokyo over the past year. If launched, its autonomous service will become the first such service on public roads in Japan.
Expansion into foreign markets
Waymo is actively expanding its operations in the United States and preparing to launch the service in London. The company said robotaxis are intended to complement Tokyo’s transportation network and help Japan respond to an aging population and a future labor shortage.
Autonomous driving has long been considered difficult to implement in Japan because of narrow, congested streets and strict regulations. Earlier this year, the U.S. startup Nuro, which develops autonomous driving technologies, also began testing in Tokyo after partnering with Uber Technologies and Lucid Group.
