Waymo LLC, a subsidiary of Alphabet, Inc. (GOOG), has announced its plans to commence testing of autonomous vehicles in Tokyo by early 2025. This initiative marks the company's first foray outside of the United States.
"This venture into Japan aligns perfectly with the country's vision for the advancement of transportation," stated Waymo in a recent announcement. "In recent years, both the Japanese National and Tokyo Metropolitan governments have actively addressed the shifting transportation demands by embracing innovative technologies aimed at enhancing safety and mobility."
To facilitate a responsible and seamless integration of Waymo's technology into Tokyo's transportation infrastructure, the company is actively collaborating with Japanese policymakers, regulatory bodies, and local safety authorities.
In support of this initiative, Waymo has teamed up with Nihon Kotsu, Japan's largest taxi operator, and the taxi-hailing application GO. Employees of Nihon Kotsu will undergo training to efficiently operate Waymo's self-driving Jaguar I-Pace vehicles.
"Our forthcoming venture in Tokyo presents a unique opportunity to collaborate with local partners, government officials, and community organizations to better understand this new environment," Waymo articulated. "The goal is to evaluate how Waymo can effectively serve Tokyo's populace and become a valuable asset within the city's overall transportation framework."
During the preliminary phase, the vehicles will be manually operated across several notable districts in Tokyo, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chuo, Shinagawa, and Koto. The company will assess the robotaxi's performance in managing left-hand driving and maneuvering through Tokyo's dense urban landscape.
To date, Waymo has carried out extensive testing of its autonomous vehicles in various U.S. cities and currently operates around 700 vehicles in regions such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Phoenix. Last year, Waymo received authorization to deploy its driverless vehicles for commercial use in San Francisco, subsequently expanding its services across numerous areas in California.
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