Uber Technologies Inc said it plans to introduce robotaxi services in Japan by late-2026 through a three-way arrangement with British autonomous driving specialist Wayve and Japanese carmaker Nissan.
Under the arrangement, Wayve will provide the artificial intelligence and autonomy stack while Nissan will supply the vehicle platform. The partners said they intend to run a pilot deployment in Tokyo toward the end of 2026, using Nissan's LEAF electric vehicle fitted with Wayve's autonomous driving technology.
The vehicles used in the pilot will be connected to the Uber network, and companies involved confirmed that each vehicle will carry a safety operator inside during operations. Uber also said it will introduce the service in Japan through a licensed taxi partner and will coordinate implementation with local authorities.
Officials described the agreement as part of a broader Uber-Wayve collaboration aimed at rolling out robotaxi services across ten major cities globally. Uber's expansion into autonomous taxis follows previous partnerships the ride-hailing company has formed with other robotaxi operators, including Waymo, Weride and Apollo Go.
Interest in robotaxis has grown recently, the companies noted, citing wider industry attention over the past year. The technology has attracted increased focus from several electric vehicle and autonomous-driving competitors, though rollout has remained limited worldwide amid ongoing regulatory concerns related to safety.
Operational details and rollout approach
- The pilot will use Nissan LEAF electric vehicles integrated with Wayve's autonomous driving technology.
- Vehicles will operate on Uber's network and include a safety operator in the car during the pilot phase.
- Uber will engage a licensed taxi partner in Japan and work with local authorities to deploy the service.
Context within Uber's robotaxi strategy
The Japan pilot is presented as a piece of a larger strategy between Uber and Wayve to establish robotaxi operations across ten major global cities. Uber has already entered agreements with multiple robotaxi firms as it moves to integrate autonomous vehicles into its platform.
Note: The report reflects the companies' stated plans and timelines as announced. It does not add additional projections or outcomes beyond those described by the firms.