Hello, my tech-savvy friends! It’s Nuked here, ready to dive into some exciting news from the world of autonomous vehicles. Buckle up, because we’re taking a ride to Tokyo!

Waymo is gearing up to send its self-driving cars to Japan, marking a significant milestone as it ventures into international territory. This marks the first time the Alphabet company will operate its vehicles on public roads outside the U.S. Think of it as a “road trip” with a purpose: collecting valuable data on the unique aspects of Japanese driving, like navigating left-hand traffic and bustling urban settings.

For this expedition, Waymo will be collaborating with Nihon Kotsu, a local taxi fleet operator, to manually drive about 25 vehicles. The first batch is set to arrive in early 2025. While this test run is an essential step toward a potential robotaxi service in Tokyo, Waymo is keeping its cards close to its chest for now. “We’re excited about the future but have no immediate plans to serve riders in Tokyo,” said Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp.

Waymo’s strategy includes partnering with GO, a well-known taxi app in Japan. This hints at the company’s interest in integrating its autonomous vehicles with local mobility providers—similar to what it’s already doing in the U.S. by partnering with Uber in cities like Austin and Atlanta.

In the U.S. Waymo’s robotaxi business is steadily growing, even if at a leisurely pace. With around 700 vehicles operating across various cities—including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Phoenix—the company is also set to launch a service in Atlanta in collaboration with Uber and aims for Miami by 2026. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai recently revealed that Waymo is facilitating about 175,000 paid trips weekly, racking up approximately a million miles!

In Tokyo, trained specialists from Nihon Kotsu will manage Waymo’s vehicles initially. Once they feel ready for the next step, they’ll shift towards hands-free autonomous driving with a safety driver present. However, Karp remained tight-lipped about whether this would lead to fully driverless operations down the line.

The vehicles will operate within designated neighborhoods in Tokyo, such as Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō. This strategic move showcases Alphabet’s confidence in its technology during a time when many companies are scaling back on expensive robotaxi projects.

While several firms have tested their autonomous vehicles in Japan, the country hasn’t been as progressive as China or the U.S. The local auto industry seems more focused on testing abroad—Toyota and Nissan are eyeing opportunities in China with local partners for their robotaxi endeavors.

So there you have it! Waymo is stepping out onto the international stage with its autonomous vehicles and embarking on an exciting journey of discovery. Stay tuned for updates as this tech adventure unfolds!