Waymo to Test Toyota bZ4X Robotaxis in Japan

Waymo will begin testing autonomous Toyota bZ4X vehicles in Japan next year. The partnership involves providing electric vehicles for robotaxi operations in international markets, including the U.K. Toyota will manufacture the 2027 bZ4X vehicles and integrate Waymo's self-driving system at its Takaoka factory in Japan. The autonomous bZ4X vehicles will initially be tested in Japan, where Waymo intends to eventually operate a robotaxi service. Following this initial testing, the new vehicles will roll out to the United Kingdom for robotaxi operations.

Toyota will assemble Waymo-equipped bZ4X electric SUVs directly on its factory line in Japan. The robotaxis will be built entirely under one roof at Toyota's Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The factory will install Waymo's self-driving sensors and computers right on the assembly line as each car is made. This approach could help eliminate redundant labor, bespoke brackets, and secondary shipping. Waymo has long positioned itself as a software and systems supplier rather than an automaker.

The announcement comes 18 months after Toyota and Waymo signed a preliminary agreement to explore the development and deployment of an autonomous vehicle platform. Hiroki Nakajima, executive vice president of Toyota and a board member, stated that the collaboration will help scale technology and bring it to customers in Japan and beyond through Waymo's ride-hailing service. Waymo is continuing to explore integrating its technology into Toyota vehicles for personally owned autonomous vehicles. The company is also working with Woven by Toyota to use Waymo's operational and safety telemetry to improve road safety across general vehicle fleets and traffic infrastructure.