Waymo revealed plans to deploy Toyota bZ4X electric vehicles equipped with its autonomous driving technology as robotaxis in Tokyo, marking an expansion of the strategic partnership between the two companies that was announced in April 2025.
The vehicles will be manufactured at Toyota’s Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, with a notable distinction in production methodology. Rather than assembling standard vehicles and retrofitting them with autonomous technology at a separate facility, Waymo’s self-driving sensors and computing systems will be integrated directly into the assembly line during initial vehicle production. This manufacturing approach represents a departure from Waymo’s previous practices and could potentially streamline production efficiency.
The collaboration reflects Waymo’s stated strategy of positioning itself as a provider of autonomous driving software and systems rather than as a vehicle manufacturer. Currently, Waymo operates robotaxis using Jaguar I-Pace models and vehicles based on the Zeekr RT, with an additional fleet based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 expected to deploy soon. The addition of the bZ4X to this lineup demonstrates Waymo’s intent to showcase the compatibility of its autonomous technology across diverse vehicle platforms.
Waymo indicated that initial testing and validation of the bZ4X robotaxis will commence in Japan during the following year, with subsequent deployment planned for the United Kingdom and additional international markets. Beyond robotaxi operations, the company is also exploring integration of its technology into Toyota vehicles designed for personal ownership with autonomous capabilities.
Additionally, Waymo is collaborating with Woven by Toyota, the automaker’s software and mobility division, to leverage operational and safety telemetry data from Waymo’s fleet to enhance road safety across broader vehicle fleets and traffic infrastructure systems.
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