Waymo Robotaxis Are Coming To Tokyo In 2025

Waymo will begin testing its autonomous vehicles in Tokyo in early 2025, marking its first deployment outside the U.S. TechCrunch reports: The move to Japan is part of Waymo's 'road trips,' a development program that involves bringing its technology to a variety of cities and testing it -- with each city having different challenges. In Tokyo, the Waymo robotaxis will face left-hand driving and a dense urban environment. Waymo said it will partner with taxi-hailing app GO and taxi company Nihon Kotsu as part of its Japanese 'road trip.' Nihon Kotsu will oversee the management and servicing of the Waymo vehicles, according to the company.

Initially, Nihon Kotsu drivers will operate the vehicles manually to map key areas of the Japanese capital, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chuo, Shinagawa, and Koto. Waymo said it is working with Nihon Kotsu's team to train its employees how to operate Waymo's self-driving Jaguar I-Pace vehicles.

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