Waymo and Toyota Team up to Trial Driverless Taxis Abroad
WHO:
Engadget - Waymo and Toyota will test autonomous Toyota bZ4X vehicles.
TechCrunch - Waymo and Toyota are partnering, with Toyota supplying electric bZ4X vehicles for testing.
Electrek - Waymo and Toyota are partners; Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov said, “Toyota’s commitment to zero traffic accidents resonates deeply with us at Waymo.”
Electrek - Toyota’s software arm, Woven by Toyota, will work with the companies on safety projects.
WHAT:
Electrek - Toyota and Pony.ai began mass-producing bZ4X-based robotaxis in China.
Electrek - Toyota recalled the first batch of its bZ4X in 2022 because the wheels could come off.
Engadget - Waymo and Toyota plan to test autonomous bZ4X vehicles.
TechCrunch - Waymo will test self-driving Toyota bZ4X electric vehicles as part of a broader partnership.
Electrek - Toyota will build a custom bZ4X with Waymo Driver integrated on the production line; the vehicle will join Waymo’s robotaxi lineup.
Electrek - The robotaxi version will have extra rear legroom, automatic doors, a power liftgate and ambient lighting. Waymo did not disclose sensor specifications, vehicle volumes or per-vehicle costs.
Electrek - Waymo and Toyota will continue work on autonomous technology for Toyota personal vehicles and on safety projects with Woven by Toyota.
Electrek - Waymo’s Japan commercial-ride plan targets about 100 vehicles, pending regulatory approval. Waymo operates more than 500,000 paid rides per week across 15 U.S. metro areas.
WHERE:
Engadget - Testing is planned in Japan.
TechCrunch - Testing is planned in Japan.
Electrek - Toyota will manufacture the vehicles at its Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and integrate Waymo’s hardware there. Waymo’s intended commercial rides are in Tokyo, with taxi operator Nihon Kotsu and ride-hailing app GO.
Electrek - The United Kingdom and other Waymo markets are planned for later deployment; Waymo has selected Toronto as its first Canadian city.
WHEN:
Electrek - Waymo and Toyota announced a preliminary agreement in April 2025 to explore collaboration on autonomous driving.
Electrek - The test fleet is scheduled to begin operating in Japan in 2027; Waymo’s target for fully driverless commercial rides in Tokyo is also 2027.
Electrek - Waymo is targeting Toronto riders in 2028.
WHY:
Electrek - The partnership adds Toyota manufacturing capacity and provides Waymo with vehicles for its robotaxi fleet.
HOW:
Electrek - Toyota’s refreshed bZ4X is sold in the United States as the Toyota bZ, with a starting price of $34,900.
Electrek - Waymo’s self-driving hardware will be integrated at Toyota’s assembly plant rather than retrofitted elsewhere.
Electrek - The 2027 Japan operations are for testing and validating the autonomous bZ4X fleet.
(UPDATED October 31, 2026 02:00 UTC)
Waymo and Toyota will test autonomous bZ4X electric vehicles in Japan, targeting 2027. Toyota will integrate Waymo’s self-driving system at its factory for future robotaxis. They’ll also work on safety and autonomous technology for Toyota vehicles.
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(UPDATED October 30, 2026 22:02 UTC)
Waymo and Toyota are partnering to develop autonomous electric vehicles for future robotaxi service. Toyota will build bZ4X vehicles with Waymo technology integrated directly at its Japanese plant. Testing is planned in Japan in 2027, with driverless Tokyo rides targeted that year.