Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, is set to take its driverless cars on their first international trip to Japan, marking a significant milestone in the company's global expansion plans. Starting next week, Waymo's vehicles will begin testing on public roads in Japan, with the goal of collecting data on the nuances of Japanese driving, including left-hand traffic and navigating dense urban environments.

The company has yet to commit to launching a commercial robotaxi service in Japan, but the tests are seen as a crucial step towards expanding its operations beyond the United States. Waymo has been operating a commercial robotaxi service in several US cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, with plans to expand to Silicon Valley, Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, DC.

About 25 vehicles will be sent to Japan, with the first already spotted in a parking lot in Tokyo. The vehicles will be driven manually by trained drivers employed by Nihon Kotsu, a local taxi fleet operator, to gather mapping data. Waymo's engineers will have their work cut out for them, as Tokyo's roads are known for being tight and winding, with thousands of pedestrians and cyclists seamlessly merging with vehicle traffic.

Waymo has been laying the groundwork for the tests, training drivers and fleet managers from GO, a popular taxi app in Japan, and coordinating with local officials, government agencies, and first responders. "In Tokyo, we are abiding by the same steadfast principles that guide us in the U.S. — commitment to safety, dedication to earning trust in communities where we operate, and collaboration with local officials and community groups here in Tokyo," said Nicole Gavel, head of business development and strategic partnerships at Waymo.

The move comes as China's Apollo Go robotaxi service is ramping up its own driverless operations, having completed 1.1 million paid driverless rides in the fourth quarter of 2024 and planning to expand to Hong Kong soon. The competition between Waymo and Apollo Go is heating up, with both companies performing an average of 200,000 paid trips each week.

The expansion into Japan marks a significant step forward for Waymo's global ambitions, as the company looks to establish itself as a leader in the autonomous vehicle industry. With its technology being tested in a new and challenging environment, Waymo is poised to gain valuable insights that will help it improve its services and expand its reach even further.

As the autonomous vehicle industry continues to evolve, Waymo's move into Japan is a significant development that will be closely watched by industry observers and competitors alike. With its commitment to safety and collaboration with local officials, Waymo is well-positioned to make a successful entry into the Japanese market and further establish itself as a leader in the global autonomous vehicle industry.