"Toyota is committed to realizing a society with zero traffic accidents and becoming a mobility company that delivers mobility for all. We share a strong sense of purpose and a common vision with Waymo in advancing safety through automated driving technology," stated Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President at Toyota, highlighting the shared objectives driving this collaboration.
Waymo, originating as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, has emerged as a key player in the autonomous vehicle landscape. The company currently operates fully driverless ride-hailing services in major U.S. cities including San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin, with plans for further expansion across the United States. Notably, Waymo also has an existing partnership with ride-hailing giant Uber.
Toyota, known for its meticulous approach to technological integration, has been actively exploring the future of mobility. The company's ambitious Woven City project, a smart city under development near Mount Fuji, serves as a real-world testing ground for robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous zero-emissions transportation. As the maker of popular models like the Camry and Lexus, Toyota prioritizes safety and environmental responsibility in its technological deployments.
Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, emphasized the crucial role of partnerships in building public trust in autonomous technology. "This requires global partners like Toyota that share our commitment to improving road safety and expanding accessible transportation," Mawakana commented, underscoring the synergy between the two companies.
While the specific financial terms and operational details of the partnership were not disclosed, both Toyota and Waymo indicated that they are in the early stages of exploring how their collaboration can translate into tangible products and services.
Currently, while Japan has seen various trials of fully autonomous vehicles, their operation remains confined to specific, controlled environments. Other companies and automakers in Japan are also actively pursuing the development of similar autonomous services, including applications for public transportation. The partnership between Toyota, a domestic automotive powerhouse, and Waymo, a leading global autonomous technology provider, signals a significant step towards potentially wider adoption and deployment of self-driving technology in Japan and beyond.