A new collaboration between Wayve, Uber, and Nissan Motor is set to introduce robotaxi services in Tokyo, marking an important step forward for autonomous mobility in Japan. The three companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop and pilot robotaxi operations in the Japanese capital, with the goal of launching services later this decade.
As part of the agreement, Nissan Leaf vehicles equipped with Wayve’s advanced AI driving system will eventually be made available to passengers through the Uber ride-hailing platform. The companies expect the first vehicles to begin operating in late 2026, initially as part of a pilot program.
This initiative represents Uber’s first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan, signaling the company’s growing interest in expanding autonomous mobility services in major global cities. By combining Wayve’s artificial intelligence technology, Nissan’s vehicles, and Uber’s large ride-hailing network, the partners aim to create a scalable robotaxi ecosystem designed for complex urban environments.
According to Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of Wayve, Tokyo is an ideal location to demonstrate the capabilities of the company’s technology. He noted that the city is one of the world’s most advanced transportation markets and presents unique road conditions that provide valuable learning opportunities for AI-driven systems.
Kendall explained that Wayve has already been testing its technology across Japan since early 2025, allowing the company to gather extensive experience navigating the country’s dense urban roads and diverse driving scenarios. The collaboration with Uber and Nissan, he said, will allow the technology to be introduced carefully and responsibly while continuing to improve its performance through real-world deployment.
The partnership centers on integrating Wayve’s end-to-end AI autonomous driving system—known as the Wayve AI Driver—into Nissan’s vehicle platform. These vehicles will then connect directly to Uber’s ride-hailing ecosystem, enabling the platform to match riders with available robotaxis in the same way it currently connects passengers with human drivers.
For Nissan, the initiative represents another step in its broader strategy to bring intelligent mobility technologies into everyday transportation. Ivan Espinosa, president and CEO of Nissan Motor, highlighted that the company’s ongoing collaboration with Wayve to incorporate advanced AI across its vehicle lineup has already created a strong technological foundation.
Espinosa said the pilot program in Tokyo brings together three complementary strengths: Wayve’s AI innovation, Uber’s global mobility platform, and Nissan’s automotive expertise. Together, these capabilities could help demonstrate how autonomous vehicles can operate in real-world city environments.
During the early phase of the project, robotaxi vehicles operating on the Uber network will include a trained safety operator inside the car. This measure will help ensure safe testing and allow engineers to monitor system performance while the technology continues to mature.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized that autonomous driving technology is becoming an increasingly important part of the company’s long-term strategy. He noted that expanding the collaboration with Wayve and introducing Nissan vehicles into the program will help accelerate the rollout of robotaxi services in major cities.
Khosrowshahi added that the Tokyo pilot follows Uber’s planned autonomous vehicle trials in London, highlighting the company’s broader effort to bring new mobility solutions to some of the world’s largest urban centers. He also stressed Japan’s importance as a key market, where innovations in mobility could help address driver shortages and support the future of urban transportation.
Ultimately, the partners aim to provide riders with more transportation options while maintaining the convenience of booking trips through the familiar Uber app.
