Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle company, Waymo, has begun deploying its vehicles on public roads in Tokyo, marking the first time the company is doing so in a foreign market. About 25 vehicles will be sent to Japan, with the goal of collecting data about Japanese driving habits and navigating dense urban environments.
The vehicles will be driven manually by human operators while being managed by local taxi fleet operator Nihon Kotsu. Waymo’s intentions are not to launch a robotaxi service in Tokyo immediately but rather to learn how its technology fits into Japan’s transportation landscape and partner with local officials and communities.
A strategic partnership with popular Japanese ride-hailing app GO may signal an intention to introduce autonomous vehicles through a locally-based mobility provider, similar to its approach in the US. Waymo currently operates a robotaxi service in several cities across the US, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, and plans to launch services in Miami and other locations.
In Tokyo, the vehicles will be operated by trained autonomous specialists, with geofenced areas designated for certain neighborhoods. The company aims to transition to hands-free autonomous driving once it feels ready, but has not committed to a specific timeline.
Waymo’s move follows a trend of companies reevaluating their robotaxi projects amid growing costs and regulatory complexities. General Motors recently announced its decision to focus on driver-assist technology instead of fully autonomous vehicles.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/16/24322769/waymo-japan-robotaxi-test-nihon-kotsu-go