After expanding its self-driving ride-hailing service area in the United States, Waymo alsoAnnouncewill test its self-driving ride-hailing service in the Tokyo area of Japan.
Waymo will initially deploy 25 Jaguar I-PACE electric vehicles in Tokyo, with drivers from Tokyo taxi company Nippon Kotsu serving as the drivers. Initial tests will be conducted using manual driving in Chiyoda, Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chuo, Shinagawa, and Koto wards within the city.
The vehicle will be equipped with cameras and radar equipment to collect data on Tokyo's relatively narrow roads compared to those in the United States, including local road conditions, nearby building information, and local vehicle driving conditions.
Waymo Senior Director Nicole Gavel said that because the road environment and driving habits in Tokyo are significantly different from those in the United States, Waymo will first adjust its self-driving car operations according to local conditions and will only start operations in Tokyo after completing relevant tests.
At this stage, it is not yet possible to confirm how long Waymo expects to conduct tests in Tokyo. The initial testing phase will be conducted with human drivers behind the wheel, and then the unmanned autonomous driving testing phase will begin.
Waymo announced at the end of 2024Started business in Tokyo, Japan, and in the Japanese market, it is cooperating with Japan Transportation and taxi application service provider GO, and plans to provide self-driving taxi services in Tokyo, which is expected to go online in early 2025.
We're excited to join the Tokyo community with our first kilometers on international roads! After months of collaboration, Waymo, @Nihonkotsu_Taxiand @go_goesnext will begin mapping streets using our manually-driven cars with Waymo technology across 7 Tokyo wards soon. pic.twitter.com/Yi3N0hbqGk
- Waymo (@Waymo) April 10, 2025
