Toyota, Waymo Collaborate on Self-Driving Tech

Toyota Motor Corp. and Waymo LLC, the autonomous driving subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., have announced the beginning of a strategic collaboration to advance self-driving vehicle technology and expand its commercial use.

The initiative, revealed on Wednesday, aims to integrate Waymo's autonomous systems into Toyota vehicles and eventually offer them in Waymo’s ride-hailing services.

The partnership will focus on exploring the deployment of autonomous technologies across Toyota’s next-generation models.

As part of the initiative, Woven by Toyota Inc., the Japanese automaker’s software division, will also play a key role in developing and optimizing systems for real-world application.

Waymo plans to incorporate Toyota’s vehicles into its US ride-hailing fleet, which currently operates in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The collaboration also aligns with Toyota’s broader goal of improving road safety and reducing accidents, as seen in its recent agreement with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. to develop AI-supported driving platforms.

Waymo has also outlined plans to gather operational data in Tokyo, a move that supports its long-term vision of launching autonomous taxi services in international markets.

The scope and timeline of the partnership are still under discussion, but both companies emphasized the global potential of the collaboration to shape the future of mobility.