Waymo to start Tokyo robotaxi service next year in Asia push

Alphabet's Waymo intends to launch its robotaxi service in Tokyo next year, expanding its global footprint as the leading US market player. The company will collaborate with Japanese taxi firms Go and Nihon Kotsu, initiating a fully autonomous service in the capital city in 2027. Initially, they plan to start with a small fleet, gradually increasing it to 100 vehicles.

Shares of Go, which operates Japan's top taxi-booking app, surged by up to 9.7 per cent on Tuesday, having risen over 40 per cent since its initial public offering in June.

Waymo has been rapidly expanding in the US and is now focusing on international markets, including a planned service in London. Having tested in Tokyo for the past year, their autonomous robotaxis would be the first on Japanese public roads. The company stated that these rides would complement Tokyo's renowned transportation network while addressing future labour shortages due to the aging population.

Rides will be accessible through the Go and Waymo apps. Despite long being viewed as a distant dream in Japan due to narrow, crowded streets and strict regulations, recent efforts have been made to advance autonomous driving. Earlier this year, US self-driving startup Nuro began testing in Tokyo, its first location abroad, following a partnership with Uber Technologies and Lucid Group. Backed by Nvidia and Toyota Motor, Nuro aims to compete with Waymo and Amazon's Zoox.

Waymo still needs to acquire the necessary permits and licenses for its Japanese service, as the country's regulations currently require a human driver in the driver's seat, irrespective of the vehicle's level of autonomy.