Waymo Begins First International Test Phase in Tokyo with Driver-Operated Vehicles

The autonomous vehicle company is mapping key areas of Tokyo to adapt its technology to Japan's unique urban environment and left-hand traffic.

Waymo has deployed 25 driver-operated electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Tokyo to collect mapping data and study local driving conditions.
The testing is focused on seven central wards of Tokyo, including Minato, Shinjuku, and Shibuya, to understand dense urban traffic and left-hand driving nuances.
Local partnerships with Nihon Kotsu, a major taxi firm, and the taxi-hailing app GO are integral to managing and supporting the operations.
This initial phase involves human drivers manually operating the vehicles to gather data, with plans to progress to autonomous testing in the future.
Waymo is evaluating the possibility of launching a commercial robotaxi service in Japan, though no timeline has been confirmed.