Waymo and Toyota to Build Self-Driving Robotaxis for Japan and the UK

Waymo and Toyota announced a partnership on Friday in which Toyota will manufacture 2027 bZ4X electric vehicles and integrate Waymo's autonomous driving system at its Takaoka factory in Japan. The deal builds on a preliminary agreement the two companies signed roughly 18 months earlier. The vehicles will first be tested in Japan, where Waymo intends to eventually operate a robotaxi service, before being deployed in other right-hand-drive markets including the UK. Waymo has already been testing its autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in London for months and plans to launch a robotaxi service there once it receives the necessary permits. The source describes the arrangement as resembling a conventional vehicle supplier deal that helps Waymo fill specific regional needs while adding a new model to its robotaxi portfolio. Beyond robotaxis, Toyota and Waymo said they would explore bringing Waymo's autonomous technology to personally owned Toyota vehicles. The two companies also announced plans to examine further initiatives using insights from Waymo's real-world fleet operations to improve safety for other road users. Hiroki Nakajima, executive vice president of Toyota and a board member, said the collaboration would help scale the technology and bring it to customers in Japan and beyond through Waymo's ride-hailing service.