Toyota partners up with Waymo to accelerate self-driving tech development

MANILA: Toyota Motor Corporation has officially signed an agreement with Waymo. Through the said partnership, the Japanese carmaker will be able to accelerate its development and eventual deployment of self-driving vehicles. 

Specifically, Toyota will leverage the American tech company’s strengths in “advanced software and mobility innovation” to improve Toyota Safety Sense. Eventually, Toyota shared that the partnership will allow the Nagoya-headquartered conglomerate to develop “next-generation personally owned vehicles.” 

With regard to Waymo’s expertise in autonomous vehicle platforms, the aforementioned was previously demonstrated by its line of “robotaxi” units, which are currently operating in the United States. It likewise started building a US-based fleet of self-driving Hyundai Ioniq 5 units in partnership with Hyundai Motor Corporation. 

As professed by Toyota, Waymo’s established self-driving fleet has already served more than a quarter of a million trips in US regions such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. 

Moreover, data collected by Waymo has shown that it actually makes roads safer in areas where it operates. Additionally, the California-based tech entity shared that its Waymo One driverless ride-hailing app likewise demonstrates the scalability and business potential of self-driving cars. 

“Toyota is committed to realizing a society with zero traffic accidents and becoming a mobility company that delivers mobility for all,” Member of the Board and Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation Hiroki Nakajima said. 

“We share a strong sense of purpose and a common vision with Waymo in advancing safety through automated driving technology, and we are confident this collaboration can help bring our solutions to more people around the world, moving us one step closer to a zero-accident society. Our companies are taking an important step toward a future with a greater safety and peace of mind for all,” Nakajima added. 

To note, Waymo was previously known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project. As of 2016, however, the said project transitioned to become Waymo, which is now a part of Alphabet Incorporated (Google’s parent company) as a subsidiary. 

As disclosed on Waymo’s official website, its self-driving technologies have already been applied to several examples of the following models: 

• Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
• Jaguar I-Pace
• Toyota Prius
• Lexus RX450h

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