Toyota and Waymo to test bZ4X robotaxis in Japan from 2027, UK to follow

A 2027 start in Japan

Toyota and Waymo will begin testing a fleet of driverless bZ4X electric SUVs in Japan in 2027, the companies said on Friday, 30 October 2026. The announcement extends a preliminary agreement the two firms reached in April 2025 to explore an autonomous vehicle platform. The Japanese tests are meant to validate the vehicles ahead of a planned fully autonomous ride-hailing service. The partners intend to extend the work to the United Kingdom and other markets in the years that follow. Toyota's Takaoka plant, in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, will produce the cars.

Built on the assembly line

Rather than modifying finished cars at a separate facility, the new process installs Waymo's sensors and computers on the assembly line as each car is made. That removes a separate retrofit step and the shipment to a second site that Waymo previously relied on. The bZ4X will come off the same line as the regular model, with automatic doors, a power tailgate, ambient lighting and extra legroom in the rear for passengers. The companies say the aim is to reduce crashes caused by human error and to widen travel options for people with limited mobility.

The partners described the production model in a joint statement.

“By pairing Toyota's global manufacturing and vehicle development expertise with Waymo's fully autonomous technology, the companies will accelerate scaling safety-validated Level 4 autonomous vehicles globally.”

Level 4 means the system handles all driving within defined conditions and areas. Waymo's current fleet uses Jaguar I-Pace and Zeekr vehicles, and the bZ4X adds a different model to its portfolio.

Timeline and the UK question

The partnership has moved from a preliminary deal in April 2025 to a production plan with a 2027 start in Japan, followed by a Tokyo ride-hailing service planned for the same year. The sequence is laid out below.

Waymo co-chief executive Dmitri Dolgov said the sequence of markets was set. He said the companies had no other countries, timelines or specifics to share beyond the two right-hand drive markets.

“We'll start with the right-hand drive markets in Japan and the UK.”

Open questions and the wider race

Neither company has said how many robotaxis Toyota will build, and no size for the initial test fleet has been disclosed. Waymo is already testing in Tokyo with safety drivers and plans to launch in London once it receives the necessary permits. Toyota executive vice president Hiroki Nakajima said the collaboration would significantly advance technological development. The companies also plan to examine personally owned Toyota vehicles and, with Woven by Toyota, to use Waymo's operational data to improve road safety. Rivals are moving into Japan as well, with Uber, Wayve and Nissan planning a robotaxi pilot in Tokyo, while Waymo is heading to Toronto from 2028.