TLDR
- Uber has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Nissan and Wayve to bring autonomous taxi services to Tokyo.
- The robotaxi pilot program is scheduled to begin in late 2026, featuring Nissan’s LEAF electric vehicle equipped with Wayve’s AI-powered autonomous driving technology and accessible through Uber’s app.
- Safety operators will remain in vehicles throughout the pilot’s initial stages.
- The agreement represents Uber’s inaugural autonomous vehicle collaboration in Japan and is part of an expansion strategy covering more than 10 cities worldwide.
- Wayve secured $1.2 billion in Series D funding, achieving an $8.6 billion post-money valuation.
Shares of Uber (UBER) climbed 3.61% following the announcement of a strategic partnership with Nissan (NSANY) and British autonomous driving technology company Wayve to introduce robotaxi operations in Tokyo.
The trio has formalized their commitment through a memorandum of understanding aimed at developing and launching the autonomous ride-hailing service, with Tokyo trials expected to commence in late 2026.
The initiative will integrate Wayve’s sophisticated end-to-end artificial intelligence driving platform into Nissan’s LEAF electric vehicles. Passengers will access these autonomous rides via Uber’s established ride-hailing application.
Throughout the pilot’s initial deployment, trained safety personnel will maintain a presence inside each vehicle. The partners emphasized this measure as a prudent strategy for introducing autonomous technology to the market.
Wayve has conducted testing operations in Japan since early 2025, focusing on adapting to the nation’s intricate road networks and rigorous safety regulations.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi positioned the Tokyo trial as a follow-up to a planned London deployment, highlighting it as a component of the company’s broader international expansion strategy. The autonomous service is slated for deployment across more than 10 metropolitan areas globally.
This partnership represents Uber’s inaugural autonomous vehicle initiative in the Japanese market. The company confirmed it will implement the service through a licensed taxi operator and is currently evaluating potential partners.
Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa characterized the collaboration as an extension of ongoing work with Wayve on artificial intelligence technologies for Nissan vehicles, describing the Tokyo trial as a logical progression of that relationship.
Wayve’s $1.2B Raise Fuels Global Push
Wayve completed a $1.2 billion Series D funding round last month, establishing a post-money valuation of $8.6 billion.
The funding round attracted participation from Uber, Nissan, Microsoft (MSFT), Nvidia (NVDA), Mercedes-Benz (MBGAF), Stellantis (STLA), and SoftBank Group, representing a diverse coalition of technology and automotive industry investors.
Wayve CEO Alex Kendall emphasized that the Tokyo collaboration enables the company to introduce its autonomous technology “in a responsible way” while gathering valuable real-world operational data.
Nissan’s Role in the Joint Initiative
Nissan’s LEAF electric vehicle will provide the foundation for the pilot program. The vehicle will integrate seamlessly with Uber’s platform once Wayve’s autonomous driving system is installed.
Espinosa stated that Nissan aims to deliver “mobility intelligence to everyday life,” positioning the Tokyo pilot as a concrete manifestation of that corporate vision.
Nissan (NSANY) stock increased 1.25% following the announcement.
Uber stock finished the trading session up 3.61% on the day the partnership was revealed.
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