Waymo Sets 2027 Target for Driverless Tokyo Rides With GO and Nihon Kotsu

Waymo, Nihon Kotsu and GO have agreed to prepare a commercial unmanned ride-hailing service in Tokyo, aiming to carry its first fully autonomous public riders in 2027. The plan would bring vehicles with no driver aboard to both the GO taxi app and Waymo’s app. It remains a target, contingent on approvals from national and local authorities and on completion of technology and joint-operations validation.

A local service built around two familiar channels

The three companies are dividing the work across technology, rider access and taxi operations. Waymo provides the autonomous-driving system; GO supplies its mobility platform; and Nihon Kotsu contributes its Tokyo taxi operating experience. They describe an on-demand, 24/7 service designed for local expectations, with conventional taxis and Waymo autonomous trips available through the GO app.

The planned rider experience

• Riders would be able to request conventional taxis or Waymo autonomous trips through GO.
• The autonomous service is also planned to be available in the Waymo app.
• The fleet would start at an unspecified size and gradually expand to around 100 vehicles in key Tokyo neighborhoods.

The remaining work is regulatory and operational

The partners say they are working with government ministries to obtain the permits and licenses the service needs. At the same time, they are validating the Waymo Driver and the joint operating model that would support the Tokyo service. That makes the agreement a concrete preparation step, rather than the opening of a driverless taxi service today.

A Tokyo entry built on Waymo’s existing operations

Waymo says it provides more than 500,000 trips a week across 15 major U.S. cities. Tokyo would apply its driving system in a different operating arrangement: one shaped with a local taxi company that has supervised the vehicles on city streets, and a platform where autonomous rides would sit alongside conventional taxis.