US platform Uber today announced it will collaborate with Japanese carmaker Nissan and British autonomous driving company Wayve to operate robotaxis in Japan from late 2026.
“This partnership marks Uber’s first collaboration with autonomous vehicles in Japan and the next milestone in the global deployment of Wayve and Uber robotaxis, which includes planned services in more than ten cities around the world, including London,” the companies said in a joint statement.
The plan is to offer a pilot programme in the Japanese capital Tokyo by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approval, integrating Wayve’s AI-powered autonomous driving system into Nissan’s new LEAF electric vehicles. The cars will connect to Uber’s ride-hailing platform and be matched with users.
“Nissan’s vision is to bring mobility intelligence to everyday life, and we believe this initiative reflects how we translate this ambition into practical applications,” said Nissan president and CEO Ivan Espinosa.
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During the initial phase of the programme, a safety operator will be present inside the vehicles, the companies said. Uber is still in the process of selecting a local taxi company in Japan to launch the project in collaboration with the relevant authorities.
