Toyota will turn its bZ electric SUV into Waymo robotaxis from 2027

Toyota will build driverless versions of its bZ electric SUV for Waymo at its Takaoka plant in Japan, with testing from 2027. Japan comes first, then the UK. Neither company said how many robotaxis Toyota will make.

Toyota will build driverless versions of its bZ electric SUV for Waymo, with testing in Japan set to start in 2027, InsideEVs reported . The companies announced the deal on Friday.

The cars will be made on the same line as the regular bZ, called the bZ4X in Japan, at Toyota’s Takaoka plant in Aichi Prefecture. Toyota will fit Waymo’s self-driving hardware at the factory, along with automatic doors and a power tailgate for riders.

Japan comes first, followed by the UK and other markets where cars drive on the left.

“ We’ll start with the right-hand drive markets in Japan and the UK, ” said Waymo co-chief executive Dmitri Dolgov. “ We don’t have any other countries or timelines or specifics to share. ”

Neither company said how many cars Toyota will build. Waymo is already testing in Tokyo with safety drivers, and plans to launch in London once it gets permits.

It is a big step for Waymo, which fits its system to Jaguar and Zeekr vehicles at its own plant in Arizona as it races to grow its fleet . The two companies first agreed to work together in April 2025.

Rivals are also eyeing Japan. Uber, Wayve and Nissan plan a robotaxi pilot in Tokyo , while Waymo is also heading to Toronto from 2028 .