Waymo Prepares for First International Autonomous Vehicle Testing in Japan
▼ Summary
– Waymo is starting its first international autonomous vehicle testing in Japan next week, marking a significant milestone.
– The initiative aims to collect data on Japanese driving patterns and urban navigation, with vehicles manually operated by local taxi operator Nihon Kotsu.
– Approximately 25 vehicles will be involved, navigating seven central wards of Tokyo to gather essential mapping data.
– Waymo has prepared by training drivers and fleet managers from the GO taxi app and coordinating with local officials and first responders.
– Waymo continues to expand its commercial robotaxi services in the U.S. and faces competition from China’s Apollo Go, which is also advancing its driverless technology.
Next week marks a historical moment for Waymo as its self-driving cars venture onto public roads in Japan for the first time. Although it remains uncertain if Waymo will launch a commercial robotaxi service in Japan, the company is celebrating this initiative as a “significant milestone.”
Waymo is framing this venture as a straightforward “road trip” aimed at collecting valuable data on Japanese driving patterns, including left-hand driving and the complexities of navigating densely populated urban landscapes. The vehicles will be manually operated to gather mapping data and will be managed by the local taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu. Approximately 25 vehicles are part of this initiative, with the first already spotted in Tokyo.
According to the LinkedIn user who shared the photos, Waymo’s engineers will face significant challenges. Tokyo’s urban environment is notorious for its “tight, winding roads” and the seamless integration of pedestrians and cyclists with vehicular traffic.
The vehicles will be driven manually for the purposes of gathering mapping data
Waymo has enlisted trained drivers from Nihon Kotsu to manually navigate the vehicles through seven central wards of Tokyo: Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō. Manual operation is a critical first step in new cities, allowing engineers to collect essential data on local traffic conditions and road features.
In preparation for this trial, Waymo has been laying a solid foundation by training drivers and fleet managers from GO, a popular taxi app in Japan. The company has also been coordinating with local officials, government agencies, and first responders to ensure a smooth testing phase.
“In Tokyo, we are abiding by the same steadfast principles that guide us in the U.S. – commitment to safety, dedication to earning trust in communities where we operate, and collaboration with local officials and community groups here in Tokyo,” said Nicole Gavel, head of business development and strategic partnerships at Waymo.
Currently, Waymo offers commercial robotaxi services in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. The company has ambitious plans to expand to Silicon Valley, Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, DC. Additionally, plans are in place to conduct road trip tests in San Diego and Las Vegas.
As Waymo sets its sights on Japan, neighboring China is also advancing its driverless technology. Apollo Go’s robotaxi service completed 1.1 million paid rides in the last quarter of 2024 and plans to expand to Hong Kong. Apollo Go, like Waymo, is now conducting around 200,000 paid trips each week.
(Source: The Verge)
