Waymo and Toyota are preparing to take their robotaxi partnership to Japan, with plans to begin testing autonomous Toyota bZ4X electric vehicles in 2027. The move marks another step in Waymo's international expansion and could eventually bring driverless ride-hailing services to Japanese roads.
The companies announced the next phase of their collaboration on Friday, October 30, building on a preliminary agreement signed in April 2025. The initial program will focus on testing and validating a fleet of self-driving bZ4X vehicles before a wider commercial rollout.
Toyota will manufacture the vehicles at its Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Japan. The facility will handle both vehicle assembly and the installation of Waymo's autonomous-driving hardware.
The Toyota bZ4X, an electric SUV, will serve as the base vehicle for the new autonomous fleet. By combining Toyota's vehicle manufacturing capabilities with Waymo's self-driving technology, the companies aim to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles for commercial use.
Level 4 automation allows a vehicle to perform all driving tasks without human intervention under specific operating conditions. The companies have not disclosed the initial fleet size or confirmed which Japanese cities will host the testing programme. However, the first phase is expected to involve a limited number of vehicles.
Japan is not the only market targeted by the partnership. Toyota and Waymo plan to introduce the autonomous bZ4X vehicles in the United Kingdom and other markets where Waymo operates over the coming years.
Both Japan and the UK use right-hand-drive vehicles, making them important markets for the next stage of Waymo's expansion. Waymo has already been testing autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Japan. The company has also been working with local taxi operators to gather road data and improve its self-driving technology.
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The Toyota partnership could help Waymo expand beyond its existing robotaxi operations in the United States. Using a mass-produced electric vehicle platform may also support the development of larger autonomous fleets.
For Toyota, the collaboration offers an opportunity to gain more experience in fully autonomous driving technology and explore its future applications in passenger vehicles. While commercial launch dates remain unconfirmed, the planned 2027 testing programme represents a significant step towards bringing driverless taxis to more international markets.