Waymo will deploy its self-driving cars in Japan, testing its technology in another country for the first time. Accordingly CNBCThe company will begin testing its Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Tokyo in early 2025 and expects to remain in the country for an “extended period.” During the vehicles’ multi-quarter trial period, human drivers from Japanese taxi company Nihon Kotsu will drive Waymo’s cars so its technology can map the city. In particular, they drive Waymo’s Jaguar I-PACEs through the streets of Shinjuku, Shibuya and the other key areas of Tokyo.
The data collected from these tests is then used to train the company’s self-driving system. Waymo will also replicate Tokyo driving conditions on a closed course in the United States, where it will test more of its robotaxis and use the data it collects for training. The company has not yet announced when it will open rides to the public, but it has already partnered with Japanese taxi app GO, which is expected to offer driverless rides to users in the future. As CNBC notes that despite its efficient train system, Japan is interested in introducing driverless rides as a transportation option due to its aging population. Last year, it changed his laws to enable Level 4 autonomous driving on its roads.
In the US, Waymo operates its self-driving cars in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles. However, the company announced several plans in recent months to introduce its vehicles to additional locations Raised $5.6 billion to fund its expansion into Austin and Atlanta next year. Waymo will also use its Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Miami There will be rides available to the public in the city in early 2025 and public rides sometime in 2026.
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