Waymo, GO and Nihon Kotsu announce driverless taxi service in Tokyo in 2027, targeting 100 vehicles

Waymo, GO and Nihon Kotsu announced on September 25, 2026, that they plan to operate about 100 Level 4 driverless taxis in Tokyo during 2027. They plan to accept ride requests through the GO app as well as the Waymo app, and said the official launch date will be set after the necessary permits and approvals are obtained.

Waymo says it will provide not only autonomous driving technology but also operational infrastructure and vehicle management systems. This underscores the importance of designing the operating structure as well as the vehicles themselves to commercialize driverless taxis. The plan to use both the GO and Waymo apps is intended to provide multiple ways for customers to access the service. Nihon Kotsu has been conducting test runs and ride-along tests in seven Tokyo wards, so the focus of commercialization is shifting from technical demonstrations to implementing operations after permits and approvals are obtained.

What is new about the announcement is that it sets out plans for a driverless taxi service involving about 100 vehicles in Tokyo during 2027, including its regulatory framework, rather than presenting Waymo's technology as a one-off demonstration. At the same time, the launch date remains contingent on permits and approvals, and test runs have been underway in seven Tokyo wards since 2025, suggesting commercialization remains an extension of the testing phase. A related article by Physical AI News, Waymo reportedly exploring autonomous driving technology supply to Toyota, reported that Waymo may be exploring supplying technology to automakers. The Tokyo project differs in that it is not aimed at automakers; instead, Waymo is working through GO and Nihon Kotsu to secure a role in the taxi service experience. In other words, Waymo appears to be seeking multiple entry points into real-world operations, including ride-hailing apps, operational management and vehicle management systems, rather than focusing on selling vehicles themselves. At the industry level, the issue is not just the vehicles' autonomous driving performance. The dual booking channels through the GO and Waymo apps raise the question of which company will control the customer relationship. And because Nihon Kotsu will handle on-the-ground operations, success will depend on how well the four layers of vehicle technology, dispatch, depot operations and permits and approvals are connected. Driving data and revenue sharing have not been disclosed. The next points to watch are how quickly the fleet of about 100 vehicles is deployed and what conditions will govern the transition from service for affiliated employees to general public use.

In Japan, Waymo's autonomous driving technology will be added while retaining the ride-hailing app entry point and the taxi operator's existing operational network. Since an established operator such as Nihon Kotsu will handle on-the-ground operations, the challenge will be to coordinate not only vehicle performance but also depot operations, dispatch channels and permits and approvals.