Uber Technologies has announced a strategic collaboration with Japanese automaker Nissan and UK-based autonomous vehicle startup Wayve to develop and deploy robotaxi services. The three companies have signed a memorandum of understanding, with a pilot program in Tokyo targeted for launch in late 2026.
The pilot will utilize Nissan's LEAF electric vehicles equipped with Wayve's end-to-end AI Driver system. Riders will be able to book these autonomous rides directly through the Uber app. During the initial phase, each vehicle will have a trained safety operator inside to ensure passenger safety and gather real-world data. The final rollout is contingent on regulatory approval and coordination with a licensed Japanese taxi operator.
This initiative is enabled by Japan's revised road traffic law, which now permits Level 4 autonomous driving on public roads. Companies must submit detailed operating plans to local public safety commissions for approval. Japan's first public-road Level 4 service launched in Eiheiji Town in May 2023, and the government aims to expand such services to around 50 locations nationwide by March 2026.
For Uber, this marks its first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan and aligns with its broader strategy to expand robotaxi services to over ten cities globally, including London. Nissan plans to integrate Wayve's AI technology into the next generation of its ProPILOT driver-assistance systems, with the first AI-enhanced model expected in Japan in fiscal year 2027. Wayve, which recently raised $1.2 billion in a Series D round valuing the company at $8.6 billion, will supply the complete AI stack.
The partnership news contributed to a positive market reaction, with Uber's stock (NYSE: UBER) rising 3.61% and Nissan's stock gaining 1.25% on the day of the announcement.
