Waymo to start testing in Tokyo, its first international destination | Wilnesh News

letterWaymo, owned by Waymo, announced on Monday that it will begin testing its self-driving cars in Tokyo in early 2025, the company’s first step toward international expansion.

Waymo has not yet committed to launching commercial service in Tokyo, but the robotaxi developer will start testing its Jaguar I-PACE vehicles on Tokyo streets in partnership with Japan’s largest taxi operator Nihon Kotsu and taxi app GO.

First, Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually operate Waymo vehicles to map major areas of the Japanese capital, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chuo, Shinagawa, and Koto.

Data from the manned test drives will help train the company’s artificial intelligence systems. Waymo will also test its robotaxis on closed tracks in the United States that mimic driving conditions in Japan.

Waymo told CNBC that this is the first phase of the partnership and will last several quarters, adding that it expects to remain in Japan long-term.

“Our upcoming road trip to Tokyo gives us the opportunity to work with local partners, government officials and community groups to understand new landscapes,” Waymo said in a statement. “We’ll learn how Waymo can serve Tokyo residents , and become a beneficial part of the urban transportation ecosystem.”

Nihon Kotsu will be responsible for the management and service of Waymo’s vehicles in Japan, the companies said.

Waymo announced a series of expansions in the United States in 2024. Atlanta partners with Uber.

The move into Japan marks the company’s first foray into the left-hand traffic market.

Both Japan’s central government and the Tokyo metropolitan government see driverless technology as a potential boon for the country’s aging population. world economic forum.

Tokyo has designated certain areas as “test zones” for self-driving cars, hoping to speed the arrival of safe driverless transportation systems.

Several developers are developing self-driving cars in Japan, including local startup Tier IV and ZMP, a robotics company testing delivery vehicles and buses in Tokyo. Partly owned by Monet Technologies toyota,Announce plan test Earlier this year, Tokyo’s Odaiba district launched a self-driving taxi service.

A week later, Waymo announced expansion in Japan General Motors Announced the abandonment of the Cruise robotaxi division. Honda, an outside investor in Cruise, told CNBC that the company aims to launch a driverless ride-hailing service in Japan in early 2026 but will re-evaluate those plans and make adjustments if needed.

Cruise had been one of Waymo’s main domestic competitors until General Motors pulled out of its robo-taxis.

watch: General Motors ends Robotaxi program