Waymo to Test Self-Driving Cars in Tokyo Next Year

Next year, Tokyo will host Waymo's autonomous vehicle trials, marking a significant milestone in the development of driverless technology.

Waymo Targets the Japanese Market

As part of its global expansion strategy, Waymo, an Alphabet subsidiary specializing in autonomous driving technology, has announced its plans to deploy its driverless vehicles in Japan, marking the company’s first foray into an overseas market.

Autonomous Taxis in Tokyo by 2025

According to CNBC, autonomous driving trials are set to begin in Tokyo starting early 2025 using the Jaguar I-PACE model. Waymo intends to operate in Japan for an extended period. During the trial phase, human drivers from the Japanese taxi company Nihon Kotsu will accompany Waymo vehicles to assist with city mapping. The autonomous cars will navigate through key districts such as Shinjuku and Shibuya, among other vital areas of Tokyo.

A Learning Technology

The data collected during these tests will be used to train Waymo’s autonomous driving system. The company will also replicate Tokyo’s driving conditions on a closed track in the United States to further test its robotaxis. This collected data will contribute to the training process.

Partnership with the “GO” App

While Waymo has not specified when it will start offering rides to the public, it has already formed a partnership with the Japanese taxi app “GO”, which is expected to eventually offer driverless rides to its users. As CNBC points out, Japan is keen on introducing driverless transport options, despite its efficient train system, due to its aging population. Last year, Japan amended its laws to allow Level 4 autonomous driving on its roads.

In addition to its expansion in Japan, Waymo also plans to deploy its Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Miami by 2025 and to offer rides to the public there in 2026. In the United States, the company already operates its driverless cars in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.