Alphabet’s self-driving subsidiary, Waymo, will begin data collection in Tokyo next week with human-operated test rides using its fleet, marking the company’s debut on foreign roads.
For the first time outside the U.S., Waymo will deploy 25 electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles on public streets to observe key areas of the Japanese capital, focusing on mapping and understanding local traffic dynamics and infrastructure.
It’s vital to grasp the unique aspects of Tokyo’s driving environment, said Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, during an event in Tokyo.
In collaboration with Japanese taxi enterprise Nihon Kotsu and Go, a taxi-hailing app partially owned by Nihon Kotsu, Waymo is initiating these early-stage tests. After the mapping phase, the company plans to progress to autonomous driving trials with safety drivers present, although no specific timeline has been announced.
Waymo will be concentrating on the initial testing phase for now, Gavel emphasized. However, the company’s long-term ambition is to establish a business presence in Tokyo.
The preliminary testing is set to cover seven Tokyo districts, including Minato and Shibuya.
