Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER), Nissan Motor Company, and Wayve announced a strategic collaboration on Thursday to develop and deploy robotaxi services, marking Uber’s first autonomous vehicle partnership in the Japanese market.
The trio plans to launch a pilot program in Tokyo by late 2026, utilizing Nissan LEAF electric vehicles integrated with Wayve’s "AI Driver" technology.
The partnership aims to combine Nissan’s hardware with Wayve’s "mapless" end-to-end artificial intelligence system, which is designed to navigate complex urban environments without relying on pre-installed high-definition maps.
The vehicles will be accessible to riders through the Uber app, which will handle the matching of robotaxis with passenger demand.
In the initial phase, the Tokyo fleet will operate with trained safety operators behind the wheel.
The move is a significant step in the global rollout for London-based Wayve and Uber, who are targeting deployments in more than ten cities worldwide.
Tokyo represents one of the most rigorous testing grounds for the technology due to its dense traffic, intricate road layouts, and strict regulatory standards.
The deal follows a string of similar autonomous partnerships for Uber as it races to become a "platform of platforms" for self-driving technology.