TOKYO, October 31, 2026 — Toyota Motor Corporation and autonomous driving company Waymo have announced plans to begin testing self-driving electric vehicles in Japan in 2027, marking a significant expansion of their technology partnership.
The companies will use specially equipped versions of Toyota’s bZ4X electric sport utility vehicle, integrating Waymo’s autonomous driving system.
According to a joint announcement issued on October 30, the vehicles will be manufactured at Toyota’s Takaoka plant in Aichi Prefecture.
The factory will handle both vehicle assembly and the installation of Waymo’s autonomous driving hardware.
The initial programme will focus on testing and validating the vehicles in Japan before potential expansion to other markets.
Toyota and Waymo also plan to deploy the vehicles in the United Kingdom and other markets served by Waymo in subsequent years.
The partnership aims to support the development of a fully autonomous ride-hailing service using vehicles manufactured in Japan.
Waymo’s technology is designed to operate at Level 4 autonomy, meaning a vehicle can drive without human intervention within specified operating conditions.
The modified bZ4X will include features intended to improve passenger comfort and accessibility, including automatic doors and additional rear passenger space.
The announcement reflects growing efforts by car manufacturers and technology companies to expand driverless transport beyond existing markets.
However, the companies have not announced a date for the commercial launch of the proposed Japanese ride-hailing service.