Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOGL) autonomous driving unit Waymo is pushing into new territory on two fronts, announcing plans to launch a commercial robotaxi service in Tokyo by 2027 while simultaneously opening its first public operations in Nevada with a Las Vegas rollout.
The twin moves mark a significant acceleration for the company, which currently delivers more than 500,000 autonomous trips per week across major U.S. markets. Tokyo would represent Waymo’s first commercial launch outside the United States, while Las Vegas adds a fifth state to its domestic footprint beyond California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona.
Tokyo: A Global First
Waymo has signed an agreement with GO, a Japan-based taxi app operator, and Nihon Kotsu, a Tokyo taxi company, to develop what the partners describe as Japan’s first fully autonomous commercial taxi service. The launch is contingent on regulatory approvals and validation of Waymo’s technology and operating model.
The companies plan to begin with a small fleet and gradually expand to approximately 100 vehicles across Tokyo neighborhoods. Riders would be able to book trips through both the GO app and Waymo’s own platform.
Waymo began collecting data in Tokyo in 2025 using human-driven Jaguar I-PACE vehicles, marking its first operations on public roads outside the U.S. The testing has focused on adapting the company’s self-driving technology to Tokyo’s narrow streets and heavy traffic conditions.
Under the planned arrangement, Nihon Kotsu will handle local transportation operations, while GO will help integrate the technology into Japan’s existing taxi ecosystem. Waymo will provide its autonomous-driving technology and operational systems.
Japan’s current regulations require a human to sit in the driver’s seat even in fully autonomous vehicles, a hurdle the partners will need to clear before commercial service can begin. The companies said the commercial launch date will be determined after necessary permits are secured.
The Tokyo expansion targets a market grappling with a shrinking workforce and persistent taxi driver shortages. A successful launch could provide Waymo with a foothold for broader expansion across Japan.
Las Vegas: Entering Nevada
Waymo said on Monday it will offer rides to the general public in Las Vegas, starting with a few dozen vehicles equipped with its sixth-generation self-driving system. The vehicles are built on the Ojai robotaxi platform, which uses a Zeekr vehicle base.
The company plans to scale the fleet over time. Las Vegas becomes Waymo’s first public robotaxi market in Nevada, following earlier announcements this month to expand into Denver, San Diego, and Tampa.
The Las Vegas entry puts Waymo in direct competition with Zoox, Amazon’s (AMZN) autonomous vehicle unit, which had been the only robotaxi operator in the city offering paid rides to the public after beginning commercial operations last month.
Competitive Landscape
Waymo, valued at $126 billion in February when it raised $16 billion, faces intensifying competition in the global robotaxi market. Tesla continues to develop its own self-driving vehicle program, while the Tokyo market is also attracting attention from other players.
Nissan, British startup Wayve, and Uber (UBER) are working on a separate robotaxi collaboration in Japan. Earlier this year, U.S.-based autonomous-driving startup Nuro began testing vehicles in Tokyo through partnerships with Uber and Lucid Group (LCID). Backed by investors including Nvidia (NVDA) and Toyota (TM), Nuro could emerge as a competitor to Waymo and Zoox.
Market Impact
Alphabet shares have climbed 11.8% year-to-date. On TipRanks, the stock carries a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 24 Buys and four Hold ratings. The average price target of $425.88 implies 21.9% upside potential from current levels.
The dual expansion signals Waymo’s transition from a U.S.-focused autonomous-driving business into a global robotaxi platform. Success in Tokyo, with its dense urban environment and complex traffic patterns, would demonstrate the technology’s adaptability to markets fundamentally different from American cities.
For investors, the international push represents both opportunity and execution risk. Regulatory hurdles in Japan remain unresolved, and the competitive landscape in both Las Vegas and Tokyo is becoming more crowded. The 2027 Tokyo timeline gives the company roughly two years to navigate approvals, validate its operating model, and scale from testing to commercial service.
Waymo’s ability to replicate its U.S. operational success abroad will be closely watched as the autonomous vehicle industry moves from pilot programs toward commercial viability on a global scale.
AloJapan.com