Waymo has formalized a broader partnership with Toyota to supply electric vehicles for its international robotaxi operations, specifically targeting markets in Japan and the U.K. Under the agreement announced on Friday, Toyota will manufacture 2027 model year bZ4X vehicles at its Takaoka factory in Japan, integrating Waymo's self-driving systems directly into production. These autonomous vehicles are scheduled to begin testing in Japan next year as a precursor to launching a full robotaxi service in the region.
The collaboration aims to deploy these right-hand drive vehicles in other international markets beyond Japan, with the U.K. identified as a key target. Waymo has already been conducting tests with autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in London for several months and intends to launch a commercial service there once regulatory permits are secured. This new deal marks a significant evolution from a preliminary agreement signed 18 months ago, which was initially vague and exploratory in nature.
While the current arrangement functions primarily as a vehicle supply deal to meet specific regional needs and expand Waymo's robotaxi portfolio, both companies indicated potential for future expansion. They plan to explore integrating Waymo's autonomous technology into personally owned Toyota vehicles. Additionally, the partners intend to leverage insights from real-world operations to develop initiatives that enhance safety for all road users. Hiroki Nakajima, executive vice president of Toyota, stated that the collaboration will help scale the technology through ride-hailing services while exploring how vehicle integration with traffic infrastructure can further improve road safety.
Sources: TechCrunch.