Wayve’s AI driving system, Nissan EVs and Uber’s platform combine for new pilot program.
More news on the autonomous front, this time aimed at the bustling streets of Tokyo.Wayve, Uber and Nissan have announced plans to collaborate on the development of robotaxis expected to launch in the world’s second-biggest city by late 2026.
The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the partnership, which combines Wayve’s artificial intelligence autonomous-driving system, Nissan vehicles, and Uber’s global ride-hailing platform. The pilot program will use Nissan Leaf EVs equipped with Wayve’s AI Driver tech and will be available through the Uber app.The Tokyo pilot project will mark Uber’s first autonomous-vehicle partnership in Japan and represents is a continuation of the expansion effort by Wayve and Uber. The two companies have said they plan to deploy services in more than 10 cities across the globe, including London.The vehicles themselve will operate with a trained safety operator behind the wheel to start, as riders begin using the service. The companies say this approach allows them to gradually introduce the technology while collecting data and refining operations in real-world conditions.Tokyo has long proved a difficult environment for autonomous vehicles, which, unlike cities like Phoenix, offer dense traffic, complex road layouts, and strict safety standards.“Tokyo represents an important step forward in bringing embodied intelligence to one of the world’s most sophisticated mobility markets,” said Wayve cofounder and CEO Alex Kendall. “We have been testing our technology throughout Japan since early 2025, building extensive experience in the country’s unique road environments.”The Wayve AI Driver system is designed to learn as it goes and adapt to new roads without need of high-definition maps. The company says this technique sill allow it to expand more quickly into new cities.Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa said the partnership builds on existing work between the automaker and Wayve to integrate AI technology into Nissan vehicles.“Nissan is proud to collaborate in this next chapter of mobility innovation,” Espinosa said. “Our work with Wayve to integrate advanced AI technology across our consumer vehicle portfolio has laid strong foundations.”“Autonomous mobility is becoming an increasingly important part of the Uber platform,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said. “Our goal is to give riders more ways to move with seamless access through the Uber app.”Uber says it plans to operate the Tokyo service through an independent, licensed taxi partner while working to secure approval from regulators for the pilot program.
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