Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has partnered with the Japanese ride-hailing app GO Inc. and the taxi operator Nihon Kotsu to launch a commercial robotaxi service in Tokyo. The project aims to begin operations in 2027, pending final regulatory approvals from Japanese transport authorities.
The service will utilize a fleet of Jaguar I-PACE electric vehicles equipped with Waymo’s fifth-generation Driver technology. The fleet is expected to scale to approximately 100 vehicles. These cars will operate at Level 4 autonomy, requiring no human driver behind the wheel.
The collaboration builds on a 2024 agreement and subsequent testing conducted across seven Tokyo wards starting in 2025. Waymo provides the autonomous driving stack, while GO manages app integration and dispatch. Nihon Kotsu, which has operated in Tokyo since 1928, handles local operational logistics.
This initiative marks Waymo’s first international commercial endeavor. The company is also considering future testing or launches in cities such as London and Munich. The project aligns with Japan's broader goal of deploying 10,000 autonomous vehicles by fiscal 2030 to address labor shortages in the transport sector.
Following the announcement, shares of GO rose by as much as 9.7%. Waymo’s strategy involves leveraging local expertise to navigate regulatory environments rather than building infrastructure from scratch. The company has previously completed tens of millions of autonomous trips across more than 15 US cities.
