Home / Business and Economy / Tokyo to Get Driverless Taxis by 2027
Tokyo to Get Driverless Taxis by 2027
15 Sep
Summary
- Autonomous taxi service to launch in Tokyo by 2027.
- The service will operate without drivers, accessible via apps.
- This initiative aims to address Japan's driver shortage.
Alphabet's Waymo, alongside Japanese partners GO and Nihon Kotsu, announced plans to launch Tokyo's inaugural fully autonomous commercial taxi service in 2027. This service will operate entirely without drivers, offering rides through the GO and Waymo mobile applications.
The companies intend to begin with a limited number of vehicles, with the goal of expanding to approximately 100 autonomous cars across key Tokyo districts. This expansion is contingent on obtaining regulatory approval and successfully validating Waymo's technology and operational framework.
This initiative represents Waymo's continued expansion into Japan, following its data collection efforts that began in 2025. The companies believe this driverless service can help alleviate Japan's ongoing driver shortage and the broader demographic challenges posed by its declining population.
