Waymo and Toyota to Start Testing bZ4X Robotaxis in Japan
Waymo and Toyota are advancing their autonomous driving collaboration by preparing to test a fleet of electric robotaxis in Japan, with future plans to expand to other international markets.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Expanding the Autonomous Partnership
The collaborative efforts between Waymo and Toyota are moving forward significantly following their initial partnership framework. In April 2025, Toyota and Waymo entered a preliminary agreement to work together on robotaxis, establishing the foundation for a joint approach to autonomous mobility. Now, the companies have announced that they will start testing an autonomous fleet of Toyota electric vehicles in Japan.
This joint initiative highlights a shared commitment to developing advanced autonomous driving technologies that can scale internationally. By combining strengths, both organizations aim to address complex urban mobility challenges while ensuring high standards of safety and operational reliability across different geographic regions.
Vehicle Selection and Manufacturing
The vehicle chosen for this upcoming testing phase is the bZ4X, which represents a critical milestone in Toyota's electrification strategy. The bZ4X is Toyota's first modern mass-market electric vehicle based on the e-TNGA platform it developed with Subaru.
Toyota will be manufacturing the bZ4X units it's deploying and testing with Waymo at its Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. In addition to vehicle production, that facility serves as the primary location where the automaker is assembling the vehicles and equipping them with Waymo's specialized autonomous vehicle hardware.
Global Scaling and Level 4 Technology
The collaboration aims to leverage the unique capabilities of both industry leaders to fast-track the commercial readiness of self-driving transportation systems. Leadership from both companies emphasized the strategic value of this partnership in a joint statement regarding future deployment timelines.
"By pairing Toyota's global manufacturing and vehicle development expertise with Waymo's fully autonomous technology, the companies will accelerate scaling safety-validated Level 4 autonomous vehicles globally," they said in a statement.
Following the upcoming trials in Japan, the companies plan to deploy their autonomous bZ4X vehicles to other right-hand drive markets like the UK. This planned expansion demonstrates the adaptability of the integrated autonomous hardware and software stack across various international road layouts and regulatory environments.
Broader Operations in Japan
The introduction of the autonomous bZ4X fleet will complement Waymo's ongoing initiatives and existing vehicle deployments within Japan. The company started testing its Jaguar I-PACE self-driving taxis in 2025 and had drivers from Tokyo taxi company Nihon Kotsu Co. drive the cars around the Japanese capital to train the company's software.
Building upon these software training operations, Waymo will launch a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Tokyo as a result of those efforts, though it's unclear when it will add the bZ4X vehicles to its commercial fleet.
Sources
- EngadgetWaymo and Toyota will soon start testing their robotaxis in Japan
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