Mar 13, 2026 11:20:00

Uber announces partnership with Nissan in the robotaxi sector, its first partnership in Japan.

Uber , the ride-hailing and food delivery service, has announced that it has partnered with Wayve , a UK-based autonomous driving technology company, as its AI technology partner, and Nissan as its automotive manufacturer partner, to form Japan's first autonomous vehicle partnership. A robotaxi demonstration experiment is planned for the second half of 2026 in Tokyo.

Uber Technologies, Inc. - Wayve, Uber and Nissan Announce Collaboration on Robotaxis
https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2026/Wayve-Uber-and-Nissan-Announce-Collaboration-on-Robotaxis/default.aspx

Wayve, Uber and Nissan announce robotaxi collaboration
https://global.nissannews.com/ja-JP/releases/260312-01-j

This plan aims to integrate Wayve's end-to-end AI autonomous driving system into Nissan base vehicles, equipped with Wayve AI drivers, and connect to Uber's ride-hailing platform to match robotaxis with individuals seeking transportation. In the initial stages, the vehicles will operate on the Uber network with trained safety operators on board, allowing passengers to experience the robotaxi service.

Waveve and Uber plan to deploy robotaxis in more than 10 cities worldwide, including London, and this deal marks Uber's first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan. Tokyo is considered one of the most challenging markets in the world for autonomous driving due to its heavy traffic, complex road layout, and high safety standards. The goal of this partnership is to deploy a cutting-edge, safe, and reliable robotaxi service even in this demanding environment.

Along with the announcement of the partnership, a prototype robotaxi based on the Nissan Leaf was also unveiled for the first time.

Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of Waveve, said, 'Introducing robotaxis in Tokyo is a significant step in expanding AI robotics technology in the advanced transportation and mobility market. We have been conducting technology demonstrations throughout Japan since early 2025 and have gained extensive experience in Japan's unique road environment. By partnering with Uber and Nissan to begin robotaxis trials, we can responsibly implement this technology and continue to learn and scale.'

Nissan President and CEO Ivan Espinosa commented, “Nissan is proud to collaborate with Wayve in a new chapter in innovation in transportation services. Our collaboration with Wayve has built a strong foundation by integrating advanced AI technologies across Nissan’s entire passenger vehicle portfolio. We are very pleased to further develop this partnership and begin a pilot program in Tokyo for a robotaxi that combines Wayve’s AI technology, Uber’s network, and Nissan vehicles. Nissan’s vision is to bring mobility intelligence into everyday life, and we believe this initiative reflects our process of translating that ambition into real-world applications.”

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said, “Autonomous mobility is becoming an increasingly important element of the Uber platform. We are thrilled to expand our collaboration with Wayve and partner with Nissan to bring robotaxi services to Tokyo. Following our pilot program in London, we look forward to expanding to Tokyo and providing a new and modern mode of transportation in major cities around the world. This also reflects our long-term commitment to using innovation to address the driver shortage and support the future of urban transport in Japan, a key market. Uber’s goal is to provide passengers with more transportation options by offering seamless access through the Uber app.”

Uber plans to launch its service in Japan through licensed taxi partners, working closely with relevant authorities. As of the time of writing, they are still in the process of selecting partners.