Fresh from a successful $1.2 billion funding round, the U.K.-based autonomous vehicle software company Wayve is partnering with Uber and Nissan to launch a new robotaxi service in Tokyo. A pilot for this service is scheduled to begin in late 2026.
Under this agreement, Wayve will integrate its AI-powered self-driving software into a Nissan Leaf vehicle. This robotaxi will then be made available to customers through Uber’s ride-hailing network. This marks Uber’s first robotaxi partnership in Japan and represents the latest in a series of planned collaborations between Uber and Wayve.
Wayve states that its autonomous software is designed to be versatile, capable of operating on any vehicle with any hardware and without relying on high-definition maps. The startup is managing multiple projects simultaneously. In addition to the Tokyo initiative, it is working with Uber to launch a robotaxi service in London. Wayve is also integrating its driver-assistance technology into Nissan vehicles scheduled for production in 2027.
For its part, Uber continues to form partnerships worldwide as it aims to become the leading app for booking self-driving taxis. The company has now established more than 25 such partnerships. Just earlier this week, Uber announced plans to offer Zoox’s purpose-built robotaxi on its app in Las Vegas later this year.