Alphabet's self-driving division, Waymo, plans to start testing autonomous vehicles in Tokyo, Japan, next year. This initiative will see Waymo collaborating with Nihon Kotsu, the largest taxi service in Japan, to conduct trials with its Jaguar I-PACE cars in the city.
Mapping Important Areas
According to reports from CNBC, drivers from Nihon Kotsu will take control of the cars to map significant regions in Tokyo, such as Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chuo, Shinagawa, and Koto.
The information collected will be essential for training Waymo's artificial intelligence systems. Additionally, the company will test its robotaxis on a specially designed track in the US, which will recreate Japanese driving conditions.
Collaborating with Local Partners
Waymo expressed its excitement for the upcoming venture, stating that the trip to Tokyo will allow them to collaborate with local stakeholders, officials, and community groups to better grasp the new environment. Nihon Kotsu has agreed to take care of managing and servicing the Waymo fleet in Japan.
In a move to enhance customer service, Waymo has teamed up with the GO taxi app in Japan to provide rides to users. Currently, Waymo operates in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in the US, and has raised a total of $5.6 billion (£4.4 or €5.3) to support its expansion plans in Austin and Atlanta.
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