Waymo, the company owned by Alphabet, which also owns Google, announced that it will conduct tests with its robotaxis in Japan in early 2025, marking the brand’s first trial of its autonomous driving models outside the U.S.
This new test by Waymo will take place in Tokyo, in partnership with local taxi companies Nihon Kotsu and GO, and aims to allow Waymo’s AI-powered autonomous driving system, known as Waymo Driver, to adapt to more densely populated urban environments than those it has tested its technology in the U.S., as well as to adjust the system for left-side driving, which is not the case in the U.S., where driving is on the right side of the road.
The robotaxis that will test Waymo’s technology in Japan are 100% electric models of the Jaguar I-Pace, which will initially be operated by drivers from the local taxi company.
It is worth noting that Waymo recently announced a partnership with Hyundai that will allow the integration of Waymo’s fully autonomous sixth-generation technology into the Ioniq 5 SUV, which will be added to Waymo One’s fleet of robotaxis in the U.S. over time.
