Story perspectives

Waymo, GO, Nihon Kotsu Launch Driverless Taxis in 2027

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 6:14 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Waymo, GO and Nihon Kotsu will launch Japan’s first fully driverless taxi service in Tokyo in 2027.
The fleet will expand to roughly 100 Level 4 vehicles after safety validation and licensing.
Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said the company has completed over 500,000 rides and is fifteen times safer than human drivers.
Nihon Kotsu President Taiji Wakabayashi said the service will complement taxis and improve mobility for the next generation.

History

Historical Context

Google launched its self-driving car program in January 2009, logging more than one million test miles by 2015 and spending $1.1 billion. The effort became Waymo in December 2016 and later operated 3,871 robotaxis covering 200 million autonomous miles in the U.S. Building on that legacy, Waymo plans a 100-vehicle Level 4 taxi fleet in Tokyo for 2027, shaping global regulation.

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Story summary

Waymo, GO and Nihon Kotsu will launch Japan’s first fully driverless taxi service in Tokyo in 2027.
The fleet will expand to roughly 100 Level 4 vehicles after safety validation and licensing.
Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said the company has completed over 500,000 rides and is fifteen times safer than human drivers.
Nihon Kotsu President Taiji Wakabayashi said the service will complement taxis and improve mobility for the next generation.

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