In the US, Waymo currently operates in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with plans to expand to Austin and Atlanta next year, supported by a $5.6 billion funding raise. The company will also deploy its Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Miami in early 2025, with public rides expected in 2026. Japan's recent amendment to allow level 4 autonomous driving on its roads aligns with Waymo's expansion plans, as the country looks to diversify its transportation options beyond its efficient train system.
Key takeaways:
- Waymo will begin testing its driverless Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Tokyo in early 2025, marking its first technology test in a country outside the US.
- During the experimental phase in Japan, human drivers from Nihon Kotsu will operate the vehicles to help map the city, particularly in areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya.
- Waymo has partnered with Japan's "GO" taxi app, potentially offering driverless rides in the future, as Japan looks to introduce autonomous transportation options.
- In addition to Japan, Waymo plans to deploy its vehicles in Miami in early 2025, with public rides expected in 2026, and is expanding to Austin and Atlanta in the US.