Waymo has entered into a partnership with Toyota to supply electric vehicles for its robotaxi operations in international markets, specifically targeting Japan and the U.K. The announcement, made on Friday, outlines a plan for Toyota to manufacture and integrate Waymo’s self-driving technology into the 2027 bZ4X model.
Under the agreement, Toyota will produce the vehicles at its Takaoka factory in Japan. The automaker will handle the integration of Waymo’s autonomous driving system directly at the production site. In North America, the same electric vehicle platform is currently marketed under the name BZ.
Testing Begins in Japan Next Year
Waymo plans to begin testing the autonomous bZ4X vehicles in Japan next year. This initial phase is a precursor to the company’s goal of eventually launching a full robotaxi service in the country. The move marks a significant expansion for Waymo, which has previously focused heavily on the United States market.
The partnership stems from a preliminary agreement signed 18 months ago between the two companies. That earlier deal was described as an exploration of an autonomous vehicle platform, with language that allowed for broad interpretation. The current announcement clarifies the immediate steps, positioning the deal as a conventional vehicle supplier arrangement that addresses specific regional needs for Waymo.
Expansion to the U.K. and Beyond
While Japan is the initial testing ground, the bZ4X vehicles are designed for right-hand driving markets. This includes the U.K., where Waymo has already been testing its autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in London for several months. The company intends to deploy the Toyota vehicles in the U.K. as well, aiming to launch a robotaxi service once the necessary permits are secured.
The collaboration also extends beyond ride-hailing services. Waymo and Toyota stated they will explore integrating Waymo’s autonomous technology into personally owned Toyota vehicles. Additionally, the companies plan to examine other initiatives that utilize insights from Waymo’s real-world operations to enhance safety for other road users.
Hiroki Nakajima, executive vice president of Toyota and a board member, commented on the scope of the collaboration. He noted that the partnership would help scale the technology and bring it to customers in Japan and beyond through Waymo’s ride-hailing service. He added that Toyota would continue to explore how integrating vehicles with traffic infrastructure could improve road safety further.
This development follows a period of cautious optimism from the initial 18-month agreement. The new deal provides concrete details on manufacturing and deployment, signaling a shift from exploration to execution. Waymo now has a second vehicle type in its portfolio, manufactured by one of the world’s largest automakers, to support its global ambitions.
Source: TechCrunch
