Toyota and Waymo plan autonomous bZ4X testing in Japan from 2027

Toyota and Waymo are taking their autonomous driving partnership a step further, with plans to begin testing and validating self-driving Toyota bZ4X vehicles in Japan in 2027.

The programme builds on an initial agreement announced in April 2025. The two companies also plan to expand testing to the UK and other markets where Waymo operates over the following years.

The collaboration is intended to lay the groundwork for the wider deployment of Level 4 autonomous Robotaxi and, eventually, fully driverless ride-hailing services in Japan.

Key highlights

The specially adapted autonomous bZ4X vehicles will be built at Toyota's Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

Production and integration of Waymo's autonomous driving hardware will take place at the same facility, bringing vehicle assembly and the installation of self-driving technology together under one roof.

The vehicles will also be adapted with passenger convenience in mind. Alongside a spacious rear cabin, they will feature automatic doors and a powered tailgate to make getting in and out easier.

The collaboration brings together Toyota's experience in vehicle development and large-scale manufacturing with Waymo's autonomous driving technology.

The goal is to accelerate the development and deployment of Level 4 self-driving vehicles, which can operate without human intervention within defined conditions and operating areas.

Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov said the company valued Toyota's long-standing reputation for safety, reliability and quality.

"In areas where Waymo operates, we've demonstrated that we are up to 20x safer than human drivers when it comes to serious crash injuries, and our partnership with Toyota will help us bring the safety and convenience of autonomous driving to more people around the world, including key international markets like Japan." He added.

Toyota Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima said, "Safety technology makes the biggest difference when it reaches as many people as possible... No single company can achieve the goal of zero traffic accidents alone, but with partners like Waymo, we will get there one step at a time."

Beyond the planned fleet testing, Toyota, Waymo and Toyota's Woven by Toyota will explore how Waymo's autonomous driving technology could be applied to Toyota's privately owned vehicles.

The companies also intend to use data and insights gathered from Waymo's real-world operations to support further development of road safety technology.