Toyota has agreed to manufacture Waymo’s next-generation autonomous ride-hailing vehicles in Japan, marking a key step in the technology’s development before deployment in the United Kingdom. The partnership combines Toyota’s production expertise with Waymo’s self-driving systems, setting the stage for broader commercial rollouts beyond these initial markets. Industry analysts note the move could accelerate the timeline for fully autonomous taxis, though regulatory and infrastructure challenges remain hurdles. The collaboration also underscores growing automotive alliances as companies race to dominate the emerging robotaxi industry.
Toyota will build Waymo's sixth-generation robotaxis in Japan, then take them to U.K. ahead of a wider global expansion.
