Uber will start a robotaxi service in Tokyo in 2026 with British AI autonomous driving software company Wayve and Japanese automaker Nissan, TechCrunch reported on March 12.
Wayve recently completed a $1.2 billion fundraising round. Through cooperation with Uber, it plans to install its AI-based autonomous driving software in Nissan Leaf vehicles. The vehicles will operate via Uber’s platform and are expected to become Japan’s first robotaxi service.
Wayve is developing autonomous driving technology that can work across various vehicles and hardware without HD maps. It is also preparing a London robotaxi service with Uber. In cooperation with Nissan, it plans to apply its autonomous driving technology to vehicles set to be commercialised in 2027.
Uber has signed more than 25 partnerships to build a global robotaxi network. It recently also announced plans to work with autonomous vehicle company Zoox in Las Vegas to introduce customised robotaxis on Uber’s platform.
Chi-gyu Hwang
delight@d-today.co.kr