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Toyota and Waymo Join Forces to Bring Fully Autonomous bZ4X Robotaxis to Japan in 2027

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Toyota and Waymo are taking their autonomous driving partnership to the next level, with plans to introduce a fleet of fully autonomous Toyota bZ4X electric SUVs in Japan starting in 2027. The collaboration represents a major step toward expanding Waymo’s global robotaxi operations and marks an important milestone for Japan’s emerging autonomous mobility industry.

Building on the preliminary agreement announced in April 2025, the two companies will begin initial operations in Japan in 2027 to test and validate autonomous Toyota bZ4X vehicles equipped with Waymo’s self-driving technology. Following the Japanese launch, the partnership is expected to expand to the United Kingdom and other international markets where Waymo already operates, although those deployments are planned for the following years.

The project will combine Toyota’s extensive automotive manufacturing experience with Waymo’s fully autonomous driving technology, with the shared objective of accelerating the global deployment of Level 4 autonomous vehicles.

Toyota bZ4X to Become Waymo’s Next Robotaxi

At the centre of the collaboration is the Toyota bZ4X, the Japanese manufacturer’s all-electric SUV, which will be specially adapted to accommodate Waymo’s autonomous driving hardware and software.

Unlike conventional vehicle conversions, Toyota plans to manufacture and equip the autonomous bZ4X fleet at its Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The entire production process will take place under one roof, covering everything from assembling the base vehicle to integrating Waymo’s autonomous driving hardware.

This approach is expected to streamline production, improve integration between the vehicle and self-driving systems, and provide a scalable manufacturing foundation for future autonomous fleets.

The decision to use a high-volume, domestically manufactured Toyota model is particularly significant for Japan, where the partnership aims to establish the country’s first fully autonomous ride-hailing service based on mass-produced domestic vehicles.

Level 4 Autonomous Driving Focuses on Safety

The Toyota-Waymo partnership is built around the development and deployment of Level 4 autonomous driving technology.

Unlike Level 2 and Level 3 systems, Level 4 autonomous vehicles can perform all driving tasks within defined operational conditions without requiring human intervention. This makes them particularly suitable for commercial robotaxi services operating within designated geographical areas.

Waymo will contribute its fully autonomous Waymo Driver technology, while Toyota will provide its vehicle engineering, manufacturing capabilities and extensive experience in developing safety-focused automobiles.

According to Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov, the company’s autonomous vehicles have demonstrated performance of up to 20 times better than human drivers in terms of serious crash injuries in the areas where Waymo operates.

Dolgov highlighted Toyota’s reputation for safety, reliability and quality as important factors behind the partnership, adding that the collaboration will help bring autonomous mobility to more people, including customers in important international markets such as Japan.

For Toyota, the initiative is closely connected to its long-term ambition of achieving zero traffic accidents. The company believes that autonomous driving technology could significantly reduce accidents caused by human error while improving mobility options for people who cannot easily drive or access conventional transportation.

Autonomous Toyota bZ4X Designed for Passenger Comfort

Beyond its self-driving capabilities, the autonomous Toyota bZ4X will receive several modifications aimed at improving passenger comfort, convenience and accessibility.

The specially equipped electric SUV will feature generous rear-seat legroom, automatic doors, a power-operated liftgate and ambient interior lighting.

These features are designed to make entering and exiting the vehicle easier, particularly for passengers with reduced mobility, older people and those who may require additional assistance when using conventional transportation services.

The focus on accessibility highlights an important aspect of the autonomous mobility concept. Robotaxis are not simply intended to replace traditional taxis or ride-hailing services. They could also provide new transportation opportunities for people who cannot drive because of age, disability or other mobility limitations.

Toyota and Waymo Look Beyond Robotaxis

The partnership will extend beyond commercial autonomous ride-hailing services.

Toyota and Waymo will continue exploring how autonomous driving technology could eventually be integrated into personally owned Toyota vehicles. The companies will also work alongside Woven by Toyota, Toyota’s mobility technology subsidiary, to investigate additional opportunities for improving road safety.

One particularly important area will be the use of real-world operational data collected by Waymo’s autonomous fleet. Insights generated through its driving operations, data analysis and autonomous technology could help Toyota develop safer vehicles and improve the overall transportation ecosystem.

The companies are also interested in how vehicle technology could interact with road infrastructure to create safer driving environments for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists and conventional vehicle users.

Toyota executive vice president Hiroki Nakajima emphasised that safety technologies deliver the greatest benefits when they can reach as many people as possible. He also stressed that achieving the company’s ambition of zero traffic accidents will require cooperation between automotive manufacturers, technology companies and other mobility stakeholders.

A Major Step in the Global Robotaxi Race

The Toyota-Waymo agreement comes at a time when the global autonomous mobility industry is entering a new phase. Robotaxi services are gradually moving beyond experimental programmes towards larger commercial operations, increasing the importance of reliable vehicle platforms and scalable manufacturing processes.

For Waymo, Toyota represents an important manufacturing partner capable of supplying vehicles produced at significant volumes, while the Japanese automaker gains access to one of the world’s most advanced fully autonomous driving technologies.

The planned 2027 Japanese operations will be an important test of how effectively the two companies can combine their respective expertise in a market with its own regulatory, infrastructure and traffic challenges.

The subsequent expansion to the United Kingdom and other Waymo-serviced markets could further strengthen the partnership’s international ambitions.

Although autonomous driving still faces technological and regulatory challenges, the collaboration demonstrates that the future of robotaxis will depend not only on sophisticated artificial intelligence and sensors, but also on established automotive manufacturers capable of producing safe, reliable and commercially viable vehicles.

With the electric Toyota bZ4X serving as the foundation, Toyota and Waymo are positioning themselves to play a significant role in the next generation of autonomous transportation.

Source: Toyota

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Waymo Robotaxis Are Coming to Munich: Germany Becomes the Next Frontier for Autonomous Driving

Waymo is taking another major step in its international expansion of autonomous driving technology. The Alphabet-backed company has announced plans to bring its self-driving robotaxi service to Munich, Germany, marking its third international market after launching operations in the United Kingdom and Japan.

The move puts one of Europe’s most important automotive cities directly in the path of Waymo’s ambitious autonomous-driving strategy. Munich is home to major automotive manufacturers, technology companies, engineering firms, and a highly developed transportation network, making it a significant test for Waymo’s Level 4 autonomous driving technology.

However, Munich residents will not see fleets of driverless Waymo vehicles taking over the city’s streets immediately.

Waymo Will Initially Drive Its Robotaxis Manually in Munich

Before Waymo begins offering fully autonomous rides to customers, its vehicles will initially operate with human drivers behind the wheel.

The company plans to use this period to map Munich’s roads and gain a detailed understanding of the city’s unique traffic patterns, road layouts, intersections, signage, weather conditions, and driving behavior. This approach is similar to the preparation Waymo has undertaken in other markets as it adapts its autonomous driving technology to new environments.

Waymo is already working with local, state, and federal authorities in Germany to obtain the regulatory approvals required for its planned autonomous ride-hailing service.

Commercial robotaxi operations are expected to begin toward the end of next year, provided Waymo receives the necessary approvals and determines that its vehicles can operate safely and reliably in Munich.

“Munich is a world-class hub for mobility and engineering, and becoming part of this city marks an important milestone in our global expansion,” Waymo co-chief executive Tekedra Mawakana said.

She added that building trust with the local community would be a priority as the company prepares to launch, while highlighting planned investments in local fleet operations and high-skilled employment.

Munich Is a Natural Target for Waymo

The choice of Munich is hardly surprising.

The Bavarian capital is one of Europe’s most important automotive and engineering centers and has deep connections to the development of advanced vehicle technology. It is also home to BMW and numerous companies working on mobility, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, sensors, and automotive software.

For Waymo, establishing a presence in Munich represents more than simply adding another city to its robotaxi network. Germany provides an opportunity to demonstrate that autonomous driving technology developed primarily in the United States can adapt to European roads and regulatory requirements.

European cities can present significantly different challenges from American markets. Narrower streets, dense urban environments, complex intersections, extensive pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, variable road markings, and different traffic rules can all place additional demands on autonomous driving systems.

Munich therefore represents an important real-world test for Waymo.

Waymo Says Its Autonomous Vehicles Are Safer

Safety remains one of the most important arguments surrounding the expansion of autonomous vehicles, and Waymo is using its accumulated driving data to support its case.

The company says its current ride-hailing fleet completes hundreds of thousands of trips every week, primarily across cities in the United States.

According to Waymo, its vehicles have accumulated more than 217 million miles, or approximately 350 million kilometers, of fully autonomous driving. Based on the company’s analysis, its autonomous vehicles experienced 16 times fewer serious-injury crashes than human drivers.

Waymo also reports that its vehicles were involved in 14 times fewer pedestrian crashes resulting in injury compared with human drivers.

Those figures will be closely watched as Waymo expands into Europe. German regulators, transportation authorities, and the public will likely scrutinize safety performance before allowing large-scale commercial autonomous operations.

Germany Has Already Embraced Driverless Vehicle Legislation

Waymo is entering Germany at an interesting moment for autonomous driving.

Germany became the first country in Europe to introduce legislation specifically allowing driverless vehicles to operate on public roads more than five years ago. That legislation helped establish the country as one of Europe’s most progressive jurisdictions for autonomous vehicle development.

Several companies have already received permission to test self-driving vehicles on German roads, including Volkswagen and Mobileye.

However, there is an important distinction between the technologies currently being tested and what Waymo wants to operate.

Many existing German permits cover Level 3 autonomous driving systems. At Level 3, the vehicle can perform the driving task under defined conditions, but the human driver remains an important part of the system and may be required to take control.

Waymo is targeting Level 4 autonomous driving.

What Is Level 4 Autonomous Driving?

Level 4 represents a considerably higher level of automation.

Under a Level 4 system, the vehicle can perform the entire driving task without human intervention within a defined operational area and under specified conditions. A passenger does not need to continuously monitor the road or be prepared to take control.

This is fundamentally different from conventional driver-assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control or lane-centering technology.

It is also more advanced than Level 3 automation, where the driver can be permitted to disengage from the driving task under certain circumstances but may still need to intervene when the system reaches its operational limits.

For Waymo’s robotaxi business model, Level 4 autonomy is crucial because there is no traditional driver operating the vehicle during a fully autonomous ride.

Munich Could Become a Major European Test for Robotaxis

Waymo’s expansion into Munich could have implications far beyond Bavaria.

If the company successfully receives regulatory approval and demonstrates reliable autonomous operation, Germany could become an important base for expanding robotaxi services into additional European cities.

The European market is considerably more fragmented than the United States, with different traffic environments, regulations, languages, road designs, and transportation policies. Successfully operating in Munich could therefore provide Waymo with valuable experience for future European expansion.

At the same time, the company faces competition from established automotive manufacturers and autonomous-driving technology specialists that are developing their own systems.

The race is no longer simply about building a vehicle that can drive itself. Companies must also prove that autonomous systems can operate safely at scale, satisfy regulators, earn public trust, and create an economically viable transportation service.

Waymo’s Global Robotaxi Expansion Accelerates

Munich will become Waymo’s third international location after the United Kingdom and Japan, demonstrating how aggressively the company is attempting to expand beyond its established U.S. operations.

The strategy represents a significant evolution for Waymo. What began as a technology-development project has increasingly become a commercial transportation business capable of operating autonomous vehicles without conventional drivers.

The company’s growing operational experience could give it an advantage as regulators around the world consider how autonomous ride-hailing should be governed.

Munich, however, will provide a particularly important challenge.

Germany has a sophisticated automotive industry, demanding consumers, strict safety standards, and a long history of engineering innovation. Convincing German regulators and residents that driverless taxis are ready for everyday urban transportation could be one of Waymo’s most important tests yet.

Source: Waymo

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Waymo Recalls 3,800 Robotaxis After Software Glitch Raises Highway Safety Concerns

Autonomous driving’s most visible success story hits another speed bump.

Waymo, the autonomous ride-hailing company owned by Alphabet, has issued a voluntary recall affecting approximately 3,800 robotaxis after identifying a software issue that could allow its vehicles to enter closed highway work zones at normal driving speeds. The recall, announced through a bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), adds to a growing list of challenges facing the industry’s most advanced self-driving operation.

According to federal regulators, the software defect could cause Waymo vehicles to incorrectly navigate through highway construction areas that have been closed to traffic. While there have been no reports of injuries or confirmed crashes linked to the issue, the potential consequences were serious enough for the company to proactively limit highway operations while engineers develop a fix.

“We identified an area where we can improve vehicle performance near highway work zones,” Waymo said in a statement. The company noted that it voluntarily restricted highway driving, informed regulators, and initiated a software recall while working on corrective updates.

Unlike traditional recalls that often require vehicles to visit service centers, Waymo’s latest action highlights the unique reality of software-defined transportation. The affected Jaguar I-Pace-based robotaxis aren’t being pulled from service. Instead, the recall serves primarily as a formal notification that the company intends to deploy updated software across its fleet.

The issue arrives at an awkward time for Waymo, which has spent years positioning itself as the autonomous driving industry’s benchmark for safety and reliability. Highway operation represents one of the most technically demanding environments for self-driving systems, requiring vehicles to process rapidly changing traffic conditions, construction zones, lane closures, and high-speed decision-making.

Waymo only recently expanded its highway operations. In Phoenix, the company’s robotaxis first gained approval to operate on freeways in 2024, initially carrying employees before eventually transporting paying passengers. Prior to that milestone, highway driving required the presence of a human safety driver behind the wheel.

The recall also marks the company’s second major software-related action in just over a month.

In May, Waymo recalled 3,791 vehicles after one of its autonomous Jaguars entered a flooded roadway in San Antonio. The unoccupied vehicle was swept away by flash-flood waters, though fortunately no injuries were reported. Earlier recalls have addressed even more concerning scenarios, including instances in which some Waymo vehicles failed to properly stop behind school buses displaying active stop signs and flashing warning lights.

Taken together, the incidents illustrate the difficult reality of autonomous vehicle development: even systems capable of handling millions of miles of routine driving can struggle with edge cases that human drivers encounter only occasionally.

Yet despite the recent recalls, Waymo’s broader safety record remains impressive. The company says its autonomous fleet has been involved in 92 percent fewer crashes resulting in serious injuries or worse compared with human drivers operating over similar distances. Waymo also reports a 92 percent reduction in crashes involving pedestrians.

Those figures help explain why regulators have generally allowed the company to continue expanding service despite periodic software corrections. In the world of autonomous driving, recalls increasingly resemble smartphone updates rather than traditional automotive defects—a reminder that the cars of the future may spend as much time receiving code revisions as they do getting mechanical maintenance.

For Waymo, the latest recall is unlikely to derail its expansion plans. But it does reinforce a reality that has followed autonomous vehicles since their inception: even the most sophisticated artificial intelligence still has lessons to learn when the road ahead suddenly changes.

Source: Waymo