Starting next year, the companies will initiate testing of the autonomous bZ4X in Japan. While the focus remains on building a fleet for ride-hailing services, the partnership aims to eventually support right-hand drive markets, specifically the U.K. Waymo currently operates test vehicles in London using Jaguar I-Pace models, but the integration of Toyota hardware signals a shift toward scaling operations with a dedicated manufacturer.
In section Startups & Technology
Waymo and Toyota partner to build autonomous robotaxis
Toyota will manufacture electric bZ4X vehicles equipped with Waymo’s self-driving technology at its Takaoka factory, marking a major step toward international expansion. The collaboration targets robotaxi deployments in Japan and the United Kingdom, moving beyond the preliminary research agreements established eighteen months ago.
Beyond robotaxis, the companies are exploring the application of Waymo’s software in personally owned Toyota vehicles. Hiroki Nakajima, executive vice president of Toyota, noted that the collaboration also intends to utilize data from Waymo’s real-world operations to improve traffic safety and infrastructure integration. This arrangement functions as a strategic supply deal, allowing Waymo to diversify its fleet while Toyota secures a foothold in the autonomous transport sector.
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