Uber, Wayve and Nissan plan to launch a robotaxi service in Tokyo this year | TechCrunch

"The companies said the deal will see Wayve integrating its AI-powered, self-driving software into a Nissan Leaf, which will be available on Uber's ride-hail network. This is Uber's first robotaxi partnership in Japan, and also the latest in a series of deals that the ride-hail giant and Wayve have in the pipeline."

"Wayve claims its autonomous software can work on any vehicle, with any hardware, and without the use of an HD map. The startup is juggling a lot: It's working on launching another robotaxi service in London with Uber, and is also integrating its driver-assistance tech in Nissan vehicles slated for production in 2027."

"Uber, meanwhile, keeps scooping up partners around the world as it seeks to become the go-to app for hailing self-driving taxis. It has struck more than 25 of these partnerships to date."

Wayve, a U.K.-based autonomous vehicle software company that recently secured $1.2B in funding, is partnering with Uber and Nissan to deploy a robotaxi service in Tokyo with a pilot launch scheduled for late 2026. The collaboration will integrate Wayve's AI-powered self-driving software into Nissan Leaf vehicles available through Uber's ride-hail platform. This marks Uber's first robotaxi partnership in Japan and represents the latest in multiple ongoing deals between Uber and Wayve. Wayve's technology operates without HD maps and claims compatibility with any vehicle and hardware configuration. Simultaneously, Wayve is developing a London robotaxi service with Uber and integrating driver-assistance technology into Nissan vehicles for 2027 production. Uber continues expanding its autonomous vehicle strategy globally, having established over 25 partnerships and recently announcing Zoox robotaxi availability in Las Vegas.

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