Japan advances autonomous driving with robotaxis and new AI vehicle tech

Japan is accelerating its deployment of autonomous driving technologies through both commercial partnerships and industry exhibitions. Waymo, the ride-hailing app GO, and Nihon Kotsu have agreed to launch fully driverless Level 4 robotaxis in Tokyo by 2027. The plan aims to scale up to approximately 100 vehicles, with passengers booking rides via the Waymo or GO apps using existing taxi fare structures. This initiative follows successful testing in Tokyo's Minato and Shinjuku wards to adapt Waymo's technology to local urban environments.

Simultaneously, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) showcased advancements in automated transport at the Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2026. Nissan highlighted its Level 2++ autonomous vehicle, which utilizes Wayve AI Driver software for end-to-end AI driving, with plans to launch the technology in the Elgrand model by fiscal year 2027. Subaru also demonstrated cooperative automated driving technology that utilizes cloud-based data and GNSS for precise positioning and real-time situational awareness.