Waymo, Japanese partners target driverless taxi service in Tokyo in 2027

Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit Waymo, Japanese taxi app operator GO and taxi company Nihon Kotsu said on Tuesday they aim to launch Japan’s first fully autonomous commercial taxi service in Tokyo in 2027.

The companies said ‌they planned ⁠to ⁠start with a small fleet before expanding to about ​100 vehicles across key Tokyo neighbourhoods, subject to regulatory approvals ​and the ongoing validation of Waymo’s technology and operating model.

Once approvals are secured and the service is ​fully validated, it will operate ⁠without drivers ‌and be available through both the ​GO ​and Waymo apps, the companies said ⁠in a joint statement.