Toyota, Waymo to begin autonomous taxi trial service in Japan in 2027

Toyota and Waymo have announced their next step in the autonomous driving partnership, aiming to create safer roads and greater mobility for everyone. After signing a preliminary agreement in April 2025, the companies will start testing an autonomous fleet of Toyota bZ4X vehicles in Japan in 2027. Eventually, they plan to roll out these vehicles to the United Kingdom and other regions serviced by Waymo in the years to come.

This collaboration represents a significant step forward in the launch of Japan's first fully autonomous taxi service using mass-produced domestic vehicles. Toyota will manufacture these vehicles at its Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The entire production process will occur under one roof, encompassing assembly of the base vehicle and integration of Waymo's autonomous vehicle hardware.

By combining Toyota's global manufacturing and vehicle development capabilities with Waymo's fully autonomous technology, the firms aim to scale safety-validated Level 4 autonomous vehicles worldwide, ultimately reducing accidents caused by human error and providing greater freedom of movement for those with limited mobility. The custom-equipped bZ4X is not only designed for comfort but also enhanced accessibility, featuring ample rear legroom and amenities such as automatic doors, a power liftgate, and ambient lighting to facilitate smooth boarding and exiting.

Toyota and Waymo also plan to investigate the future of autonomous driving technology for privately owned Toyota vehicles, alongside their existing Woven by Toyota initiatives. These efforts, including leveraging insights from Waymo's real-world operations and data-driven intelligence, aim to collectively enhance safety for all road users.