A Waymo rider-only robotaxi is seen during a test ride in San Francisco on Dec. 9, 2022. Alphabet -owned Waymo announced Monday that it will start testing its autonomous vehicles in Tokyo in early 2025, the company's first step toward international expansion. To start, Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually operate the Waymo vehicles to map key areas of the Japanese capital, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō. Waymo will also test its robotaxis on a closed course in the U.S. built to mimic driving conditions in Japan. Waymo announced a series of expansions across the U.S. in 2024.

---

Persons: Waymo, Waymo hasn't, Nihon, Uber, Cruise Organizations: PACE, Nihon, CNBC, World Economic, Monet Technologies, Toyota, General Motors, Honda Locations: San Francisco, Tokyo, Tokyo's, Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, U.S, Japan, Miami, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, Tokyo's Odaiba, robotaxis