UK-based would-be Tesla rival Wayve heads to Japan

Wayve, a UK-based autonomous vehicle company, is expanding its global footprint by launching a testing and development center in Yokohama, Japan. This announcement comes on the heels of Nissan's plans to introduce its next-generation ProPILOT technology featuring Wayve's AI Driver software. With $1.05 billion raised last year through a Series C round, Wayve approaches AI training for autonomous driving differently than competitors like Waymo, offering scalable driver assistance capabilities without the costly sensors. The new facility will aid in testing adaptations for Japan's complex driving scenarios, enhancing Wayve's tech adaptability globally.

“By incorporating training data from Japan's complex road environments, Wayve will strengthen the generalization of its foundation model and enhance adaptability across global markets.”

“Wayve’s tech centers on using AI training to build its foundation models, reaching parity in performance levels across markets rapidly.”}],

“Unlike services such as the fully autonomous Waymo, which rely on highly detailed maps and expensive sensors to deliver a driverless experience, Wayve is currently a driver assistance tech that relies on AI training during usage.”

“Wayve's AI Driver Assist system goes beyond the standard L2+ systems and paves the way to unlock L3 and beyond.”

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