Toyota and Waymo to test autonomous bZ4X robotaxis in Japan from 2027

Partnership details and timeline

Toyota and Waymo signed a preliminary agreement in April 2025 to collaborate on autonomous robotaxis. Testing of Toyota’s bZ4X electric vehicles, equipped with Waymo’s self-driving technology, will begin in Japan in 2027. The initiative will later extend to the UK and other right-hand drive markets, according to Engadget and The Next Web.

The bZ4X, Toyota’s first mass-market electric vehicle developed with Subaru, will be manufactured at Toyota’s Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The vehicles will be fitted with Waymo’s autonomous hardware, automatic doors, and a power tailgate at the factory. Neither company has disclosed the number of robotaxis planned for production.

Waymo’s existing operations and competition

Waymo has been testing its Jaguar I-PACE self-driving taxis in Tokyo since 2025, with drivers from local taxi company Nihon Kotsu Co. training its software. The company plans to launch a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Tokyo next year, pending regulatory approvals. Waymo also intends to expand to London and Toronto, the latter from 2028.

The partnership intensifies competition in the robotaxi space. Uber, Wayve, and Nissan are already planning a robotaxi pilot in Tokyo, while Waymo currently integrates its autonomous systems into Jaguar and Zeekr vehicles at its Arizona plant.

Toyota’s electric vehicle strategy

The bZ4X is Toyota’s first modern mass-market electric vehicle, part of its broader push into electrification. The company has previously announced plans to phase out gas-powered vehicles in certain markets, including Subaru’s commitment to end such sales in Europe by 2027. This partnership with Waymo aligns with Toyota’s goals to accelerate the adoption of electric and autonomous vehicles globally.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

This partnership signals a major bet on right-hand drive markets for autonomous ride-hailing services. For founders and operators in the mobility and electric vehicle sectors, it highlights the growing importance of manufacturing partnerships that integrate hardware and software at scale. Toyota’s role as the vehicle supplier positions it to capture value in the autonomous mobility supply chain, while Waymo’s expansion beyond its U.S. base could pressure competitors like Uber and local players in markets such as Japan and the UK. The lack of disclosed production volumes suggests either a cautious rollout or a focus on high-value deployments, which may limit near-term opportunities for suppliers and complementary service providers.

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