Waymo, the self-driving unit of Alphabet, will begin collecting data in Tokyo next week through test rides operated by human drivers.

This initiative marks the company’s first deployment of its vehicles on public roads outside the United States.

The company plans to use 25 driver-operated electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles to map key areas of Tokyo and analyze local infrastructure and driving patterns.

The initial testing will cover seven wards, including Minato and Shibuya.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Methodical international expansion follows Waymo’s proven U.S. playbook

Waymo’s Tokyo expansion follows the same careful, data-driven approach that defined its U.S. growth since 2009, when it began as a secret Google project 1.

The company is deploying driver-operated vehicles first for mapping and data collection before considering autonomous operations, mirroring its methodical U.S. strategy where it spent years testing in Chandler, Arizona before expanding to other cities 2.

This deliberate approach reflects Waymo’s emphasis on safety and localization, having learned from accumulating over 16 million kilometers on public roads and 16 billion kilometers in simulation before launching commercial services 3.

The partnership with local taxi firm Nihon Kotsu aligns with Waymo’s strategy of working with established transportation providers to gain market-specific expertise rather than attempting to disrupt existing systems 4.

By focusing on mapping seven specific Tokyo wards, including high-traffic areas like Shibuya and Minato, Waymo is targeting dense urban environments that provide the complex data needed to adapt their systems to left-hand traffic and local driving norms 2.

2️⃣ Japan represents a strategic market for autonomous vehicles due to demographic pressures

Japan faces a projected 36% shortfall in truck drivers by 2030, creating urgent demand for autonomous transportation solutions in a country with an aging workforce 5.

This demographic challenge has already prompted Japanese companies to develop autonomous taxis, with the world’s first autonomous taxi service launching in Tokyo in 2018 as a pilot project between ZMP and Hinomaru Kotsu 6.

The Japanese government has actively supported autonomous vehicle development through regulatory frameworks and initiatives to address the country’s mobility challenges, creating a favorable environment for Waymo’s entry 7.

Recent Waymo developments