Link: Waymo is sending autonomous vehicles to Japan for first international tests

Waymo is deploying autonomous vehicles in Tokyo, representing its first venture on public roads outside the U.S. This move, described as a "road trip" for data collection, aims to understand the nuances of Japanese driving.

The project will start with manually driven mapping by 25 vehicles, in partnership with local taxi operator Nihon Kotsu. Waymo's initiative is expected to lay the groundwork for a future robotaxi service in Tokyo.

Despite this development, Waymo is clear that it has no current plans to serve Tokyo riders. Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp emphasized learning from the local transport environment and building relationships with community stakeholders.

Waymo’s collaboration with GO, a popular Japanese taxi app, hints at possible future service deployments through local providers. This strategy mirrors its U.S. operations where its autonomous vehicles are available via Uber in cities like Austin and Atlanta.

In Tokyo, Waymo vehicles will operate within specific districts and will initially include a safety driver. The eventual goal is to transition to fully autonomous driving as the project evolves.

Waymo's expansion comes at a time when competitors like General Motors are scaling back their autonomous vehicle investments, focusing instead on driver-assist technologies. This move underscores Alphabet’s commitment to its autonomous vehicle technology amidst a global recalibration of the autonomous driving industry.

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