Wayve, Uber, and Nissan to Pilot Robotaxi Service in Tokyo by 2026

Wayve, Uber, and Nissan have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on robotaxi development and pilot services in Tokyo, announced in a press release. The companies plan to begin the pilot in late 2026, introducing the Nissan LEAF equipped with Wayve’s AI Driver, accessible to riders through Uber’s app.

This initiative marks Uber’s first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan and is part of Wayve and Uber’s broader plan to roll out robotaxi services in more than ten cities globally, including London. The vehicles will initially operate with a trained safety operator on board during the testing phase.

Under the agreement, Wayve’s end-to-end AI autonomous driving system will be integrated into Nissan’s base vehicles, which will connect to Uber’s ride-hailing platform. The Wayve AI Driver is designed to learn from real-world data and adapt to new cities without the need for high-definition maps, supporting faster deployment in complex urban environments like Tokyo.

Uber intends to launch the service through a licensed taxi partner in Japan, working with local authorities to ensure compliance. The companies also revealed a prototype of the robotaxi based on the Nissan LEAF, highlighting their shared goal to expand safe autonomous mobility globally.