Waymo to Launch Robotaxi Services in Tokyo and Singapore by 2028

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has been a leader in autonomous vehicle technology in the United States. Its robotaxis have been operating in select US cities for several years, but international expansion remained limited.

Interest in driverless taxis in Asia had grown, but Japan's strict regulations and crowded streets made the idea seem distant. Similarly, Southeast Asia had yet to see a major deployment of US-based robotaxi services.

Waymo's decision to target Tokyo and Singapore reflects a strategic move to bring its technology to two of Asia's most developed urban environments.

On September 15, 2026, reports surfaced that Waymo, in collaboration with Japanese partners GO and Nihon Kotsu, would launch a fully driverless taxi service in Tokyo in 2027, aiming to become the first of its kind in the country, according to World News CNA and Japan Times.

The announcement highlighted the challenges of deploying autonomous vehicles in Japan, where regulation is strict and city streets are often narrow and busy.

A few days later, on September 18, 2026, Waymo confirmed that Singapore would be the next city for its robotaxi expansion. The company outlined plans to introduce paid autonomous rides there by 2028, according to The Verge and Bloomberg Technology.

To prepare for the Singapore launch, Waymo said it would send vehicles to the city-state in 2027 for mapping and testing. The fleet will include electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, as reported by South China Morning Post.

This marks Waymo's most significant push into the Asian market, following a series of expansions outside the United States.

Waymo is preparing for the Tokyo robotaxi launch in 2027, working with local partners to navigate regulatory and operational hurdles. The Tokyo service will be the company's first driverless taxi deployment in Japan.

Meanwhile, in Singapore, the first Waymo vehicles are expected to arrive in the coming months to begin mapping and testing ahead of a planned commercial service in 2028. These moves establish Waymo as a key player in the emerging Asian robotaxi market.

The next steps include obtaining regulatory approvals in both Japan and Singapore, as well as completing local mapping and safety testing. The performance of Waymo's technology in these dense urban environments will be closely monitored by industry observers and city officials.

How local riders respond to fully driverless taxis, and whether Waymo can scale its operations smoothly, will be important factors in the success of these ambitious launches.