Waymo and Toyota to commence autonomous bZ4X robotaxi trials in Japan in 2027

Waymo and Toyota have confirmed that a fleet of autonomous Toyota bZ4X electric vehicles will start trial operations in Japan in 2027. The vehicles, equipped with Waymo’s Level 4 self‑driving system, will be manufactured and fitted with the autonomous hardware at Toyota’s Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The partnership, first outlined in a preliminary agreement in April 2025, now moves to on‑road testing, with the companies indicating that the Japanese trials are a stepping‑stone toward broader deployment in other right‑hand‑drive markets such as the United Kingdom.

The bZ4X, Toyota’s first mass‑market electric model built on the e‑TNGA platform co‑developed with Subaru, will serve as the next addition to Waymo’s robotaxi portfolio, which already includes Jaguar I‑Pace vehicles tested in Tokyo since 2025 and in London. Waymo plans to launch a fully autonomous ride‑hailing service in Tokyo following the trials, although the timeline for integrating the bZ4X into a commercial fleet remains unspecified.

Background

In April 2025, Toyota and Waymo signed a preliminary agreement to explore a joint autonomous‑vehicle platform, a deal described at the time as exploratory. Over the following 18 months, the collaboration evolved into a supplier relationship, with Toyota agreeing to produce the 2027‑model bZ4X and install Waymo’s self‑driving technology at its Takaoka factory. The partnership also envisions potential future projects, including the integration of Waymo’s autonomous system into privately owned Toyota vehicles and the use of operational data to improve road safety. Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima of Toyota highlighted the aim of scaling the technology for customers in Japan and beyond, while also exploring vehicle‑infrastructure integration.

Waymo’s existing presence in Japan includes testing Jaguar I‑Pace robotaxis in 2025, using drivers from Tokyo‑based taxi firm Nihon Kotsu Co. to gather data and train its software. In the UK, Waymo has been testing autonomous Jaguar I‑Pace vehicles in London and is awaiting permits for a robotaxi launch there.

Why it matters

The trials mark the first deployment of Level 4 autonomous technology on a mass‑market electric vehicle in a right‑hand‑drive market outside the United States. Successful testing could accelerate the rollout of robotaxi services in densely populated urban areas such as Tokyo, offering a new mobility option that does not rely on human drivers. For Toyota, the partnership provides a pathway to showcase its electric vehicle platform in advanced autonomous applications, potentially enhancing its competitiveness in the global EV market. Waymo gains a vehicle model tailored to right‑hand‑drive markets, supporting its strategy to expand beyond the United States and diversify its fleet.

Stakeholders include Japanese commuters, local regulators overseeing autonomous vehicle safety, and the broader automotive industry watching the integration of autonomous systems with mass‑produced EVs. The collaboration also signals to other manufacturers the viability of joint ventures that combine vehicle manufacturing expertise with autonomous‑driving technology.

What happens next

Waymo and Toyota intend to begin the Japanese bZ4X trials in 2027, with subsequent plans to introduce the autonomous fleet to the United Kingdom and other right‑hand‑drive countries in the years following the initial tests. Details on the exact rollout schedule, the size of the test fleet, and the criteria for moving from testing to commercial service have not been disclosed. Waymo will continue its parallel testing of Jaguar I‑Pace vehicles in London while seeking the necessary permits for a robotaxi launch there. Both companies have indicated that they will keep evaluating safety data and operational insights to guide future deployments.