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Waymo Expands Self-Driving Car Operations to Tokyo, Marking First International Venture
Autonomous vehicles, once confined to the realm of science fiction, are rapidly becoming a tangible reality as companies like Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving technology division, broaden their reach into new cities and international markets. In a significant move signaling global expansion, Waymo announced its entry into Tokyo, Japan, representing its inaugural foray outside the United States. This development underscores the growing momentum of robotaxi services and their increasing presence in urban transportation landscapes.
Waymo’s Tokyo Pilot Program
Waymo’s launch in Tokyo, disclosed in December through collaborations with Nihon Kotsu, a Japanese taxi operator, and the Go taxi application, is now underway. Initially, trained drivers from Nihon Kotsu will manually operate Waymo’s vehicles across seven designated Tokyo wards: Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō. This preliminary phase will enable Waymo engineers to evaluate and adapt their autonomous driving technology to the unique characteristics of Tokyo’s roadways and traffic patterns.
Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety and community integration, stating, “In Tokyo, we are adhering to the same unwavering principles that guide our operations in the US—a steadfast commitment to safety, a dedication to building trust within the communities where we operate, and proactive collaboration with local officials and community groups here in Tokyo.”
Current US Operations
Waymo presently offers fully driverless rides to the public in several US cities including San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin, Texas. Further expanding its testing footprint, Waymo revealed in January plans to initiate manually driven vehicle testing in ten additional cities throughout the year, commencing with Las Vegas and San Diego. Atlanta is also slated for expansion later in the year through an alliance with Uber, while Washington, DC, is anticipated to gain access to Waymo services via the Waymo One app starting in 2026.
Vehicle Fleet and Technology
Currently, autonomous rides are provided using the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace. However, Waymo has announced a partnership with Hyundai to integrate its next-generation self-driving technology into Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUVs. These all-electric, autonomous vehicles will eventually be accessible to riders through the Waymo One application.
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Waymo reports facilitating over 200,000 paid trips weekly. Personal accounts from users in San Francisco describe an initial period of adjustment to the driverless experience, quickly followed by a sense of normalcy and routine.
Safety and Public Perception
Despite the advancements, Waymo’s expansion has encountered some public concerns. Several reported incidents involving Waymo vehicles, including collisions with a cyclist in San Francisco and a towed truck in Phoenix, have raised questions about safety. (Waymo addressed one software issue with a recall and update.) In response to these concerns, Waymo cites data from 14.8 million miles of autonomous driving, asserting that its Waymo Driver technology demonstrates superior safety performance, being “up to 3.5x better in avoiding crashes that cause injuries and 2x better in avoiding police-reported crashes than human drivers in SF and Phoenix.” The company also launched a data hub last year to provide transparency and information regarding its road safety initiatives.
How to Access Waymo Robotaxi Services
As Waymo continues to advance and expand its self-driving technology, here is a guide on how to access the robotaxi service in the cities where it currently operates.
Accessing Rides in Phoenix
Phoenix became the pioneering city to introduce fully autonomous Waymo rides to the public in 2020. Rides can be requested 24/7 via the Waymo One application, available on both iOS and Android platforms.
Phoenix users can also hail Waymo vehicles through the Uber app. Selecting UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric ride options may offer the choice to confirm a Waymo ride if matched.
Additionally, autonomous delivery via Waymo is integrated with Uber Eats in Phoenix. Customers placing orders may receive notifications about potential autonomous vehicle delivery. Upon arrival, customers retrieve their orders from the vehicle’s trunk. Opting out of autonomous delivery is available at checkout.
Accessing Rides in San Francisco
San Francisco followed Phoenix by launching fully autonomous rides in late 2022, eliminating its waitlist in June to enable immediate access for all users via the Waymo One app, 24/7. Currently, Uber integration is not available in San Francisco.
Waymo expanded its San Francisco service area into the Peninsula in August, incorporating Daly City, Broadmoor, and Colma, and further expanded in March to include Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale for select Waymo One riders, with plans for broader access in the future.
Accessing Rides in Los Angeles
Los Angeles removed its waitlist in November, opening Waymo robotaxi access to all public riders through the Waymo One app. Service is available 24/7 across approximately 90 square miles of LA County, including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Inglewood, and Downtown LA, with continued expansion anticipated.
Accessing Rides in Austin
In Austin, Uber serves as the exclusive platform for hailing Waymo rides, as the Waymo One app is not available in this city. Requesting UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric may result in a Waymo vehicle match, with no additional charge. Users can decline a driverless ride and opt for a standard vehicle. To increase the likelihood of a Waymo match, users can adjust settings within the Uber app under Account > Settings > Autonomous vehicles, and toggle “Get more Waymo rides.”
Rides are initiated via the Uber app, which also handles ending the ride and rating the experience. Tipping is not required for Waymo rides. Customer support is accessible 24/7 through both the Uber app and in-vehicle screens within the Waymo vehicle.
The Uber-Waymo partnership delegates vehicle maintenance such as cleaning and repairs to Uber, while Waymo retains responsibility for testing, operation of the Waymo Driver system, roadside assistance, and certain customer support functions. This collaboration aims to broaden access to autonomous rides, eliminating the need for a separate app for Uber users.
Waymo currently operates across 37 square miles of Austin with future expansion plans.
Future Expansion: Atlanta, Washington, DC, and Miami
Atlanta is slated to offer public access to driverless rides via the Uber app starting in early 2025. Currently, only Waymo employees in Atlanta can utilize fully autonomous vehicles. Public users in Atlanta can join an interest list to receive updates on service availability.
Washington, DC, is planned to launch Waymo services in 2026. Waymo resumed testing in the capital in January to refine its autonomous driving technology, with plans to increase vehicle deployment and expand service throughout the year. Waymo is actively working with policymakers to establish regulations for driverless operation in Washington, DC.
Miami is also anticipated to launch Waymo services in 2026. Weather testing has been conducted in Miami to prepare for the rollout, focusing on challenging rainy conditions to enhance autonomous driving capabilities.
Waymo is partnering with Moove, a fintech company specializing in vehicle financing, starting in Phoenix. Moove will oversee fleet operations, facilities, and charging infrastructure for Waymo’s robotaxi fleet in Phoenix and later in Miami. Waymo will continue to offer its service via the Waymo One application and maintain responsibility for validation and operation of the Waymo Driver system in these locations.
The Future of Autonomous Vehicles
Waymo introduced its sixth-generation self-driving technology in August, designed to enhance the capabilities of its driverless fleet. Enhanced sensors are intended to improve navigation in adverse weather conditions. The sixth-generation Driver will be integrated into the all-electric Zeekr vehicle, featuring a spacious interior, adjustable seating, and removable steering wheel and pedals. This technology is currently undergoing testing and is expected to become available to riders in the near future.
In October, Waymo announced a partnership with Hyundai to integrate its sixth-generation Driver into the Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV, which is slated to join the Waymo One fleet over time. The companies plan to produce a substantial number of Ioniq 5 vehicles equipped with Waymo technology over several years to support Waymo One’s growth. Testing with these vehicles is set to begin by late 2025, with public availability following in subsequent years.
Currently, Waymo services do not extend to highways and freeways for general users, but this is expected to change. Waymo is conducting fully autonomous rides on freeways in Phoenix and is now offering freeway rides to employees in Los Angeles.
While Waymo is also exploring autonomous trucking, the company has indicated a temporary scaling back of these efforts to prioritize ride-hailing services with Waymo One. The advancements in Waymo Driver capabilities, particularly in freeway driving, are expected to benefit future trucking development.