Waymo Partners Plan Tokyo Driverless Taxis in 2027
Waymo Partners Plan Tokyo Driverless Taxis in 2027
Anonymous
Key Points
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The launch date within 2027 has not been set; Waymo said the timeline depends on completing validation of both its technology and the joint operating model, as well as obtaining permits and licenses.
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The required approvals are expected to involve Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the National Police Agency, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the relevant municipal wards, under the Road Traffic Act and Road Transportation Act.
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Since the companies agreed to collaborate in December 2024, they have conducted public-road tests in seven Tokyo wards, adapting Waymo’s system to local road conditions while Nihon Kotsu drivers remained onboard.
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The Tokyo rollout would be Waymo’s first commitment to distribute rides through both its own app and a local partner’s app outside the United States; GO says users will be able to hail conventional taxis and Waymo rides through the same platform.
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The companies frame the service as an addition to, rather than a replacement for, existing taxi operations: Nihon Kotsu President Wakabayashi described the partnership as an opportunity for coexistence between autonomous and conventional taxi services.
Waymo, the taxi app GO, and Tokyo taxi operator Nihon Kotsu plan to launch Japan's first fully driverless commercial taxi service in Tokyo in 2027. The partnership will start with a small fleet and expand to roughly 100 Level 4 autonomous vehicles that passengers can summon through either the GO app or Waymo's app. Reuters reported the rollout depends on safety validation and approvals from Japan's national and local authorities.
Waymo will provide the autonomous-driving technology and operating platform, GO will coordinate the service, and Nihon Kotsu will manage local operations and customer support. The companies have already been testing Waymo vehicles on Tokyo's public roads with Nihon Kotsu drivers aboard since their partnership began in December 2024. They say the service could help address Japan's severe taxi-driver shortage and population decline.
Testing Underway in Seven Tokyo Wards
Since agreeing to collaborate in December 2024, the three companies have conducted public-road tests in seven Tokyo wards. The tests adapted Waymo's autonomous system to local road conditions while Nihon Kotsu drivers remained onboard for safety. This hands-on testing phase is crucial for validating both the technology and the joint operating model before commercial launch.
Regulatory Approvals Required From Multiple Agencies
The driverless taxi service needs approvals from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the National Police Agency, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and relevant municipal wards. These approvals fall under Japan's Road Traffic Act and Road Transportation Act. The companies have not set a specific launch date within 2027, saying the timeline depends on completing validation and obtaining all required permits and licenses.
Dual-App Model Marks Waymo's First Partnership Outside US
The Tokyo rollout is Waymo's first commitment to distribute rides through both its own app and a local partner's app outside the United States. Users will be able to hail conventional taxis and Waymo driverless rides through the same GO platform. This dual approach keeps traditional taxi services intact while introducing autonomous options.
Nihon Kotsu President Wakabayashi described the partnership as an opportunity for coexistence between autonomous and conventional taxi services, not a replacement. The company framed the driverless taxis as an addition to existing operations. This positioning suggests the service aims to expand capacity in Tokyo's congested transportation market rather than displace human drivers entirely.
Expanding Beyond Tokyo as Part of Waymo's Asia Strategy
The Tokyo project fits into Waymo's broader Asia expansion plans. Reuters reported that Waymo is also set to bring autonomous ride-hailing to Singapore in 2028, with an initial fleet of Jaguar I-PACE vehicles arriving soon and trained autonomous specialists conducting operations in 2027. These moves position Waymo as a major player in Asian mobility markets over the next few years.
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