Waymo, the self-driving car company, is finally expanding into Japan, partnering with Nihon Kotsu and GO to begin testing in Tokyo in early 2025



Waymo , a self-driving car developer and sister company of Google, has announced that it will begin testing its self-driving cars in Tokyo from early 2025 as part of its efforts to improve its self-driving technology.

Partnering with Nihon Kotsu and GO on our first international road trip
https://waymo.com/blog/2024/12/partnering-with-nihon-kotsu-and-go-on-our-first-international-road-trip




[News Release] GO, Waymo, and Nihon Kotsu to collaborate on testing autonomous driving technology in Tokyo from 2025 | Tokyo's largest taxi company
https://www.nihon-kotsu-taxi.jp/news/241217/

GO, Waymo, and Nihon Kotsu to collaborate on testing autonomous driving technology in Tokyo from 2025 | GO Co., Ltd.
https://goinc.jp/news/pr/2024/12/17/7zxcnor24lj3ts5l3ah2sn/

Waymo to begin testing in Tokyo, its first international destination
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/16/waymo-to-begin-testing-in-tokyo-its-first-international-destination-.html

Waymo is sending autonomous vehicles to Japan for first international tests - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/16/24322769/waymo-japan-robotaxi-test-nihon-kotsu-go

Waymo is conducting an initiative called ' Road Trip ' in which Waymo's self-driving vehicles are deployed around the world to collect 'driving feedback with human drivers on board.'

So far, Waymo has taken road trips to 12 cities across the United States, including rainy Miami and Death Valley National Park in California, where temperatures exceed 50 degrees.

Waymo has announced that its first overseas road trip will be a test in Tokyo starting in early 2025. According to Waymo, the test will collect data on the nuances of driving in Japan, such as driving on the left side of the road, which is different from the U.S., and driving in the world's most densely populated urban environment.


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The Jaguar I-PACE will be used for this road trip, with a fleet of around 25 vehicles managed by taxi company Nihon Kotsu .

The road trip, which will be conducted in Tokyo's Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chuo, Shinagawa, and Koto wards, will first be driven by Nihon Kotsu drivers to collect mapping data, and then, as soon as preparations are complete, autonomous driving tests will be conducted with a driver on board. However, Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp did not clarify whether a final fully autonomous driving test will be conducted.

'The implementation of this road trip in Japan is aligned with Japan's vision for the future of transportation. For many years, the Japanese government and Tokyo Metropolitan Government have actively worked to foster the adoption of innovative technologies that adapt to society's evolving transportation needs and improve safety and mobility. We are working with the Japanese government, regulators, and local safety authorities to ensure a seamless introduction of Waymo's technology to the city of Tokyo,' said Karp. 'We will explore how Waymo can serve Tokyo residents and become a beneficial part of Tokyo's transportation ecosystem.'

In addition, Waymo's announcement did not explicitly state whether it would launch an autonomous driving service in Tokyo. However, Waymo has also signed strategic partnerships with Nihon Kotsu and GO Co., Ltd., a taxi dispatch service, and the overseas media The Verge speculated that 'Waymo may be indicating its intention to launch an autonomous vehicle dispatch service in Tokyo in the future.'


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