Wayve, Nissan, and Uber Partner for Tokyo Robotaxi Pilot

The three companies will launch an autonomous vehicle service in the bustling city by late 2026.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:26pm

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Wayve, Uber, and Nissan have announced plans to collaborate on the development of robotaxis expected to launch in Tokyo by late 2026. The partnership will combine Wayve's artificial intelligence autonomous-driving system, Nissan electric 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, initially operating with a trained safety operator behind the wheel.

Why it matters

Tokyo has long proved a difficult environment for autonomous vehicles due to its dense traffic, complex road layouts, and strict safety standards. This partnership represents an important step forward in bringing autonomous mobility technology to one of the world's most sophisticated transportation markets.

The details

The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the partnership, which will mark Uber's first autonomous-vehicle partnership in Japan. The Wayve AI Driver system is designed to learn and adapt to new roads without the need for high-definition maps, allowing for quicker expansion into new cities. Nissan says the collaboration builds on existing work to integrate Wayve's AI technology into its consumer vehicles.

  • The pilot program is expected to launch in Tokyo by late 2026.

The players

Wayve

An artificial intelligence autonomous-driving company that has developed the AI Driver system to be used in the Tokyo pilot.

Uber

A global ride-hailing platform that will offer the autonomous vehicle service through its app in Tokyo.

Nissan

A Japanese automaker that will provide the Leaf electric vehicles equipped with Wayve's AI technology for the pilot program.

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What they’re saying

“Tokyo represents an important step forward in bringing embodied intelligence to one of the world's most sophisticated mobility markets.”

— Alex Kendall, Cofounder and CEO, Wayve

“Nissan is proud to collaborate in this next chapter of mobility innovation. Our work with Wayve to integrate advanced AI technology across our consumer vehicle portfolio has laid strong foundations.”

— Ivan Espinosa, CEO, Nissan

“Autonomous mobility is becoming an increasingly important part of the Uber platform. Our goal is to give riders more ways to move with seamless access through the Uber app.”

— Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Uber

What’s next

The companies say the Tokyo pilot will initially operate with a trained safety operator behind the wheel to gradually introduce the technology while collecting data and refining operations in real-world conditions. Uber also plans to operate the service through an independent, licensed taxi partner while working to secure approval from regulators.

The takeaway

This partnership between Wayve, Nissan, and Uber represents a significant step forward in bringing autonomous mobility technology to one of the world's most complex and challenging transportation environments. By combining their respective strengths, the companies aim to overcome the unique challenges of operating self-driving vehicles in Tokyo and pave the way for wider adoption of this transformative technology.