US — The Verge

Waymo’s next robotaxi is a purpose-built Toyota bZ4X

MobilityOctober 30, 20261 min read

Waymo, a self-driving car company, says its future robotaxis in Tokyo will be Toyota bZ4X electric cars. Toyota will install Waymo's self-driving parts on the factory line as each car is built.

What happened

Waymo said that when it starts a robotaxi service in Tokyo in 2027, it will use Toyota bZ4X electric vehicles made in Japan. A robotaxi is a taxi with no human driver. The cars will be built at Toyota's Takaoka plant. Waymo's self-driving sensors and computers will be installed on the assembly line while each car is made.

Key facts

Launch target: Tokyo, in 2027.
Car model: Toyota bZ4X, an electric vehicle.
Factory: Toyota's Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
Waymo's cars on the road today: Jaguar I-Pace and Zeekr RT. A third model based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 will launch soon.
Testing in Japan starts next year. The United Kingdom is next, along with other markets.

Why the change matters

Waymo has usually bought finished cars, shipped them to another site, and added sensors, computers, and wiring there. Building the parts in during car production could save work, reduce custom fittings, and cut shipping steps. This could lower Waymo's costs. Waymo also sees itself as a software and systems company, not a carmaker.

Why it matters

A deal between the world's biggest automaker and a leader in self-driving tech shows that Waymo's software can work on many kinds of cars. It also shows a new way to make robotaxis, which could help the technology grow faster. Waymo says it is also looking at putting its technology in cars people own, and it is working with Woven by Toyota on road safety.

What to watch

Results of Waymo's testing and safety checks in Japan, starting next year.
When robotaxi service starts in Tokyo in 2027.
Whether the bZ4X robotaxis reach the United Kingdom and other countries.
Whether Waymo brings its technology to cars owned by individuals.

Glossary

Waymo: A company that makes self-driving technology and runs robotaxi services.
Toyota bZ4X: An electric car made by Toyota that Waymo will use for its future robotaxis.
Woven by Toyota: Toyota's software and mobility company, spun out as a separate unit.
Takaoka plant: Toyota's car factory in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, where the bZ4X robotaxis will be built.

Audi Posts Minimal Profit in Third Quarter

Audi narrowly avoided a loss in the third quarter, reporting after-tax profit of just 95 million euros, down 87 percent from 718 million euros a year earlier. The company has cut its full-year forecast and says the fourth quarter should improve, while Finance Chief Jürgen Rittersberger pledged strict cost discipline.

Mobilityheise onlineOct 30

China Leads in Absolute Numbers in Fast-Charging Network Expansion

According to the International Energy Agency, China accounted for about 80 percent of the global growth in public fast-charging points in 2024, reaching 2.2 million by the end of 2025. The EU and the US trail in absolute numbers, and per-vehicle comparisons narrow the gap, while the article notes that availability figures alone do not show whether chargers actually work reliably.

MobilityTechCrunchOct 30

Waymo taps Toyota to supply robotaxis for Japan and the U.K.

Waymo will begin testing autonomous Toyota bZ4X vehicles in Japan next year under a broader partnership to supply electric vehicles for robotaxi operations in international markets, including the U.K. Toyota will manufacture the 2027 bZ4X at its Takaoka factory in Japan and integrate Waymo's self-driving system, and the vehicles are intended for other right-hand driving countries such as the U.K. The companies also said they will explore bringing Waymo's technology to personally owned Toyota vehicles.

MobilityZDNet KoreaOct 30

[Appointments] EcoPro Announces Regular Executive Personnel List

EcoPro has released its regular executive personnel list, with three people promoted to vice president, including Oh Sang-young at EcoPro BM, Lee Jong-cheol at EcoPro Materials, and Choi Seon-mi at EcoPro Innovation. Eleven people were promoted to senior managing director, spread across EcoPro, EcoPro HN, EcoPro BM, EcoPro EM, and EcoPro Materials.