Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous driving subsidiary, and Toyota Motor Corporation have announced a preliminary agreement to collaborate on accelerating the development and deployment of autonomous driving technologies. This partnership aims to combine Waymo's expertise in self-driving technology with Toyota's vehicle manufacturing prowess to enhance road safety and mobility for all.

Expanding Beyond Robotaxis

While Waymo has been a leader in autonomous ride-hailing services, this collaboration signifies a shift towards integrating self-driving technology into personally owned vehicles (POVs). Toyota will play a crucial role in this initiative, contributing advanced software and mobility innovations. The partnership will explore how Waymo's autonomous technology can be leveraged alongside Toyota's vehicle expertise to develop next-generation POVs.

Shared Vision for Zero Traffic Accidents

Toyota has long pursued a vision of zero traffic accidents, guided by a three-pillar approach that integrates people, vehicles, and traffic infrastructure. Their development and global deployment of Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), a suite of advanced safety technologies, exemplify this commitment. Through the collaboration with Waymo, both companies aim to further accelerate the adoption of driver assistance and automated driving technologies, focusing on safety and peace of mind for all road users.

Waymo's Autonomous Driving Milestones

Waymo currently operates over 250,000 autonomous rides weekly across cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. Their data indicates an 81 percent reduction in injury-causing crashes compared to human drivers. The company is developing a generalisable autonomous driver that can be applied to various vehicle platforms and environments, aiming to expand its technology beyond ride-hailing services.