Waymo and Toyota Plan Japan Robotaxi Pilot

Waymo and Toyota Motor announced on October 30, 2026, that they will expand their self-driving collaboration and begin initial operations in Japan in 2027, including testing and validation of autonomous taxis based on Toyota’s bZ4X electric vehicle. The vehicles will be built at Toyota’s Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, with deployments in the UK and other markets planned over the following years.

The companies reached a basic agreement in April 2025 on a strategic partnership to develop and promote autonomous driving. At the time, they said they would jointly consider developing an autonomous vehicle platform and improving self-driving technology for future Toyota production cars. They have now named the bZ4X as the taxi vehicle and disclosed the production site and timing for the initial Japan operations. The Takaoka plant will handle assembly of the base vehicle and installation of Waymo’s autonomous-driving hardware.

Toyota’s vehicle development and manufacturing expertise will be combined with Waymo’s fully autonomous driving technology, with the aim of expanding Level 4 vehicles. Level 4 refers to a category in which the system handles all driving tasks under limited conditions. The taxi version of the bZ4X will include more rear-seat legroom, automatically opening and closing doors, a power-operated rear hatch, and indirect cabin lighting, with design features intended to improve passenger comfort and ease of entry and exit.

Woven by Toyota, which is participating in the collaboration, has indicated that it plans to start commercial operations in Japan after the 2027 initial operations. The announcement did not specify when commercial service will begin, or the initial operating area or fleet size. Separately, GO, Waymo, and Nihon Kotsu announced on September 15, 2026, that they aim to launch fully driverless commercial taxi service in Tokyo during 2027. They said the formal operating date will be set after safety checks and required permits are obtained.

Beyond autonomous taxis, Toyota and Waymo will consider self-driving technology for Toyota production vehicles. With Woven by Toyota, they will explore how insights and technology from Waymo’s real-world operations and data can help improve safety for more road users. Woven by Toyota also plans to consider ways to connect Toyota vehicles with transportation infrastructure to support future autonomous-driving development and deployment. The companies have not provided specific operating plans for the bZ4X taxis, including their service areas or fleet size.

Waymo and Toyota Motor announced on October 30, 2026, that they will expand their self-driving collaboration and begin initial operations in Japan in 2027, including testing and validation of autonomous taxis based on Toyota’s bZ4X electric vehicle. The vehicles will be built at Toyota’s Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, with deployments in the UK and other markets planned over the following years.

The companies reached a basic agreement in April 2025 on a strategic partnership to develop and promote autonomous driving. At the time, they said they would jointly consider developing an autonomous vehicle platform and improving self-driving technology for future Toyota production cars. They have now named the bZ4X as the taxi vehicle and disclosed the production site and timing for the initial Japan operations. The Takaoka plant will handle assembly of the base vehicle and installation of Waymo’s autonomous-driving hardware.

Toyota’s vehicle development and manufacturing expertise will be combined with Waymo’s fully autonomous driving technology, with the aim of expanding Level 4 vehicles. Level 4 refers to a category in which the system handles all driving tasks under limited conditions. The taxi version of the bZ4X will include more rear-seat legroom, automatically opening and closing doors, a power-operated rear hatch, and indirect cabin lighting, with design features intended to improve passenger comfort and ease of entry and exit.

Woven by Toyota, which is participating in the collaboration, has indicated that it plans to start commercial operations in Japan after the 2027 initial operations. The announcement did not specify when commercial service will begin, or the initial operating area or fleet size. Separately, GO, Waymo, and Nihon Kotsu announced on September 15, 2026, that they aim to launch fully driverless commercial taxi service in Tokyo during 2027. They said the formal operating date will be set after safety checks and required permits are obtained.

Beyond autonomous taxis, Toyota and Waymo will consider self-driving technology for Toyota production vehicles. With Woven by Toyota, they will explore how insights and technology from Waymo’s real-world operations and data can help improve safety for more road users. Woven by Toyota also plans to consider ways to connect Toyota vehicles with transportation infrastructure to support future autonomous-driving development and deployment. The companies have not provided specific operating plans for the bZ4X taxis, including their service areas or fleet size.