Toyota will build Waymo robotaxis on the bZ4X for Japan and the UK

Waymo has picked its next robotaxi, and it's a Toyota. On 30 October the two companies announced the next phase of a partnership first sketched out in April 2025: Toyota will supply autonomous versions of the bZ4X electric SUV, and the pair will begin testing and validating the fleet in Japan in 2027. Deployment in the United Kingdom and "other Waymo-serviced markets" is planned for the years after that.

Built under one roof

According to Toyota's announcement, the cars will be made at its Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The whole process happens in one place, from assembling the base vehicle to installing Waymo's self-driving hardware. The companies describe the result as a Level 4 vehicle, meaning it drives itself without a human in defined areas and conditions. If the term is new to you, our explainer on self-driving levels breaks down what each level really means.

Toyota says the robotaxi version of the bZ4X gets extra rear legroom, automatic doors, a power liftgate and ambient lighting to make getting in and out easier. It calls the project the start of Japan's first fully autonomous ride-hailing service built on high-volume, domestically manufactured cars.

Right-hand drive first

Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov told Reuters the plan starts with right-hand-drive markets, Japan and the UK, and that there are no other countries or timelines to share yet. Waymo is already testing Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in Japan and in London, and it plans to launch a London service once it has the necessary permits. Toyota CTO Hiroki Nakajima said the first operations would use a small number of cars.

What we don't know yet

The companies haven't disclosed fleet size, launch cities in Japan, fares or a UK start date. They also said they will keep exploring Waymo technology for privately owned Toyota cars, but announced nothing concrete.

Why it matters

Robotaxi expansion is limited by how quickly an operator can get suitable cars, especially right-hand-drive ones. A deal with the world's biggest carmaker gives it a right-hand-drive vehicle built at volume. It follows Waymo's plans for Madrid in 2027. For the sensor debate behind robotaxis, see our comparison of lidar vs camera self-driving.