Toronto, Ontario — Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving subsidiary, and Toyota Motor Corporation have announced a preliminary agreement to collaborate on the development and deployment of autonomous driving technologies.
This partnership aims to combine Waymo’s expertise in autonomous vehicle technology with Toyota’s manufacturing capabilities to enhance both ride-hailing services and personally owned vehicles. A key aspect of this collaboration is the integration of Waymo’s autonomous technology into Toyota’s vehicles. The technology is currently used in the robotaxi service Waymo One, which currently operates in cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Austin.
“Toyota is committed to realizing a society with zero traffic accidents and becoming a mobility company that delivers mobility for all,” said Hiroki Nakajima, an executive vice-president at the Toyota Motor Corp. “We share a strong sense of purpose and a common vision with Waymo in advancing safety through automated driving technology, and we are confident this collaboration can help bring our solutions to more people around the world, moving us one step closer to a zero-accident society. Our companies are taking an important step toward a future with greater safety and peace of mind for all.”
This move indicates Waymo plans to move beyond its existing robotaxi services. The partnership also involves Woven by Toyota, Toyota’s advanced software and mobility innovation arm, which will contribute to the development of next-generation autonomous vehicles.
Waymo’s autonomous driving technology has demonstrated significant safety benefits, with data indicating an 81 percent reduction in injury-causing crashes compared to human drivers. The company is developing autonomous drivers that can be applied across various vehicle platforms, aiming to enhance road safety and expand accessible transportation options.
“Waymo’s mission is to be the world’s most trusted driver,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-chief executive officer at Waymo. ” This requires global partners like Toyota that share our commitment to improving road safety and expanding accessible transportation. We look forward to exploring this strategic partnership, incorporating their vehicles into our ride-hailing fleet and bringing the magic of Waymo’s autonomous driving technology to Toyota customers.”
