International Expansion and Local Partnerships
, a subsidiary of , announced plans to test its autonomous I-Pace vehicles in , marking its first international expansion and entry into left-hand traffic markets.
The company will collaborate with , Tokyo's largest taxi operator, and the taxi app GO, to map key areas of the city, aiming to adapt its AI to Tokyo's dense urban environment.
Strategic Goals and Industry Context
This initiative aligns with Japan's vision for the future of transportation, especially to address the needs of its aging population, and supports Waymo's goal of understanding and serving Tokyo's unique transportation needs.
The move comes amidst a competitive landscape where other companies like Tier IV and Monet Technologies are also testing autonomous vehicles in Japan, and follows ' recent withdrawal from the robotaxi sector.