Waymo, the self-driving technology company under Alphabet, is set to begin testing its driverless vehicles on public roads in Japan next week, marking its first international endeavor. The milestone “road trip” aims to collect data on Japanese driving nuances, such as left-hand traffic and dense urban navigation.
Although Waymo has not confirmed plans to launch a commercial robotaxi service in Japan, the vehicles—operated manually by drivers trained by Nihon Kotsu, a local taxi fleet operator—will gather critical mapping and traffic pattern data. About 25 vehicles are being sent for the effort, which will cover seven central Tokyo wards, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Chūō. Waymo’s approach involves manual navigation when entering new cities to better understand local roads and driving environments.
Tokyo presents unique challenges for Waymo engineers, such as its winding roads and the seamless interaction between pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. To prepare for the tests, Waymo has trained fleet managers and drivers from GO, a popular Japanese taxi app, while coordinating efforts with local authorities, government agencies, and first responders.
“In Tokyo, we are abiding by the same steadfast principles that guide us in the U.S.—commitment to safety, dedication to earning trust in communities where we operate, and collaboration with local officials and community groups here in Tokyo,” Nicole Gavel, head of business development and strategic partnerships at Waymo, said in a statement.
Waymo already operates commercial robotaxi services in U.S. cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, with plans to expand into Silicon Valley, Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C. Testing for future services is also scheduled for San Diego and Las Vegas.