Toyota Motor and Alphabet's Waymo will begin testing autonomous Toyota bZ4X electric vehicles in Japan. Testing is scheduled for 2027. This collaboration builds on a previous agreement. The initiative aims to launch Japan's first fully autonomous ride-hailing service. The service will utilize mass-produced domestic vehicles.
Toyota will manufacture the bZ4X vehicles. It will integrate Waymo's autonomous driving hardware. This integration will occur at Toyota's Takaoka plant in Japan. The partnership combines Toyota's manufacturing expertise with Waymo's self-driving technology. This aims to accelerate the deployment of Level 4 autonomous vehicles. Following the initial phase in Japan, the companies plan subsequent deployment in the United Kingdom and other markets.