Wayve, Uber and Nissan sign deal to pilot robotaxi service in Tokyo using autonomous LEAF
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Wayve, Uber and Nissan have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and pilot robotaxi services in Tokyo, with an initial deployment planned by late 2026 using autonomous Nissan LEAF vehicles operating on the Uber platform.
The collaboration will see Wayve’s AI Driver integrated into Nissan’s base vehicle architecture, enabling the vehicles to operate autonomously while connecting to Uber’s ride-hailing network. Riders will be able to request the vehicles through the Uber app once the pilot service begins.
The agreement represents Uber’s first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan and forms part of a broader rollout strategy involving more than ten global cities, including London. The companies said the Tokyo deployment will serve as an early operational test in one of the world’s most complex urban driving environments.
During the initial phase of the pilot, the vehicles will operate with a trained safety operator inside the car. This approach is intended to support system monitoring and regulatory compliance while allowing passengers to experience robotaxi journeys within the Uber network.
Companies plan late-2026 pilot using Wayve AI Driver integrated into Nissan vehicles and dispatched via Uber’s ride-hailing platform.
Tokyo’s dense traffic, complicated road layouts and stringent safety expectations make it a significant testing ground for autonomous driving technology. The companies said the pilot will focus on ensuring the service meets safety and reliability standards required for large-scale urban deployment.
Wayve’s autonomous driving system uses an end-to-end artificial intelligence model designed to learn directly from real-world driving data. Unlike many autonomous vehicle systems, it does not rely on pre-built high-definition maps, which the company says allows the technology to adapt more quickly to new roads and cities.
Uber plans to operate the service through a licensed taxi partner in Japan and said it is currently selecting partners while working with local authorities to prepare for the pilot. The companies also released an early look at a robotaxi prototype based on the Nissan LEAF that will underpin the trial programme.
The agreement adds to a growing list of autonomous vehicle collaborations for Uber, which has increasingly partnered with developers and automakers to integrate driverless technology into its ride-hailing platform as the sector moves toward commercial deployment.
Alex Kendall, Cofounder & CEO, Wayve, said: “Tokyo represents an important step forward in bringing embodied intelligence to one of the world’s most sophisticated mobility markets. We have been testing our technology throughout Japan since early 2025, building extensive experience in the country’s unique road environments. Partnering with Uber and Nissan to begin pilot deployment of Robotaxi allows us to introduce this technology in a responsible way, while continuing to learn and expand.”
Ivan Espinosa, President and CEO, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., said: “Nissan is proud to collaborate in this next chapter of mobility innovation. Our work with Wayve to integrate advanced AI technology across our consumer vehicle portfolio has laid strong foundations, and we are excited to take this partnership further with a pilot deployment of Robotaxi in Tokyo, bringing together Wayve’s AI technology, Uber’s network, and Nissan vehicles. Nissan’s vision is to bring mobility intelligence to everyday life, and we believe this initiative reflects how we translate that ambition into real‑world applications.”
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Uber, said:“Autonomous mobility is becoming an increasingly important part of the Uber platform. We are excited to expand our collaboration with Wayve and to work with Nissan to bring robotaxi services to Tokyo. Following our planned pilot deployment in London, we look forward to expanding into Tokyo and introducing new, modern ways to travel in some of the world’s largest cities. It also reflects our long-term commitment to Japan, a critical market where innovation can help address driver shortages and support the future of urban transportation. Our goal is to give riders more ways to move with seamless access through the Uber app.”
