Alphabet’s Waymo announced this week that it will begin testing its autonomous taxis in Japan in 2025, marking the company’s first international expansion.
In a statement Monday, Waymo said it will partner with Japanese taxi company Nihon Kotsu to bring its Jaguar I-PACE autonomous taxis to Tokyo’s roads early next year. Waymo said the plan is simply a test in several cities.
“Our upcoming road trip to Tokyo gives us the chance to work alongside local partners, government officials and community groups to understand the new landscape,” Waymo said in a statement. “We’ll learn how Waymo can serve Toyko’s residents and become a beneficial part of the city’s transportation ecosystem.”
The company’s robotaxis will gather data in Japan to train its driver AI system, with Nihon Kotsu drivers behind the wheel to ensure all goes smoothly. The vehicles will roll through Tokyo’s key neighborhoods like Shibuya, Shinjuku and Chiyoda.
Additionally, Waymo will bring Japan to the U.S., further training its robotaxis on closed courses made to look like Japanese streets.
The Japan push is the latest expansion by Waymo, which also announced it would begin commercial testing in Miami in 2025. The company currently operates a commercial robotaxi business in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and Austin, Texas.
Waymo will likely face steep competition from Japanese developers, who have been testing autonomous driving technology in Tokyo for years. Toyota’s MONET Technologies has reportedly been testing autonomous vehicles in the capital since early this year.
Waymo could also face competition from Tesla, which plans to launch its own robotaxi program next year.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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