Toyota Motor Corporation and Waymo LLC have kick-started talks on a potential collaboration to speed up the development of autonomous vehicle technologies. This venture will also see Woven by Toyota—Toyota’s mobility software division—playing a key role.
Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo’s co-CEO, said, “Waymo’s mission is to be the world’s most trusted driver. That means working with global partners like Toyota who share our focus on safer roads and better accessible transport.”
The aim is to embed Waymo’s autonomous driving tech into Toyota vehicles, potentially extending its use from ride-hailing fleets to privately owned cars. Waymo, based in Mountain View, California, is developing a versatile system adaptable to various vehicle types, paving the way for its technology to become a feature in personal vehicles alongside its established fleet of robotaxis.
At the moment, Waymo manages over 250,000 trips weekly in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. Their autonomous vehicles have recorded 81% fewer incidents that cause injuries compared to those driven by humans. Tests have been conducted with models like Jaguar and Lexus, with Lexus being a recognized Toyota brand, and future plans could see these systems deployed in both robotaxis and personal vehicles.
Waymo’s robotaxi trials have expanded to cities including Atlanta, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C., and the company even picked up the 2025 RBR50 Robot of the Year award at the recent Robotics Summit & Expo.
Toyota and Waymo are united by a commitment to enhancing both road safety and mobility options. Toyota is set to apply its extensive vehicle expertise and vision for zero traffic accidents using a three-pillar approach focused on people, vehicles, and infrastructure. A part of this commitment is reflected in Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), a suite of advanced safety features.
Both firms expect that their collaboration will drive advances in driver-assist systems and broader autonomous vehicle capabilities. As Hiroki Nakajima, Toyota’s executive vice president explained, “We’re confident this collaboration will bring our innovations to more people worldwide, moving us one step closer to a society free of traffic accidents.”
This partnership marks an important stride towards a future with safer roads and improved global mobility.
