A Waymo robotaxi was photographed being pulled over by Tokyo traffic police, drawing social media attention as the U.S. firm expands its operations into Japan.
Although the vehicle is part of Waymo’s autonomous fleet, it was being manually operated by a driver from Tokyo-based Nihon Kotsu. The company began on-road trials last month to collect real-world driving data across seven Tokyo wards, including Shinjuku and Minato.
See also: Waymo Begins Tokyo Testing with Driver-Operated EVs, Eyes Future Self-Driving Expansion
https://twitter.com/YukkuriMasa1225/status/1918532072077181197
The stop, which appeared to involve a standard traffic violation, was not attributed to the vehicle’s self-driving software. Waymo’s presence in Japan remains in the testing phase, with no fully autonomous rides offered to the public.
See also: Waymo, Toyota Sign Preliminary Deal to Explore Autonomous Vehicle Collaboration
Waymo’s expansion into Japan is part of a broader strategy to localize its driving systems in international markets. The company has previously reported lower crash rates in the U.S. using its technology, particularly in incidents involving pedestrians and two-wheeled vehicles.
