Waymo Expands Robotaxi Operations to Las Vegas with Plans for Tokyo Launch in 2027
Alphabet Inc.-backed autonomous vehicle company Waymo has announced the expansion of its robotaxi service into Las Vegas, marking a new phase in the self-driving car industry. The service will initially cover an area spanning nearly 24 miles and is expected to expand further across Clark County. Most vehicles will be based on Zeekr's Ojai model co-developed with Waymo using sixth-generation autonomous driving technology. In addition, Waymo plans a fully unsupervised robotaxi launch in Tokyo by 2027, pending regulatory approvals and successful validation of its self-driving systems. The company has partnered with Nihon Kotsu and Japanese ride-hailing platform GO for the rollout. Riders will be able to book services through both the Waymo app and the GO app. The expansion comes as competition in the robotaxi market intensifies, particularly against Uber Technologies Inc., which is also planning a late 2026 launch of its own autonomous vehicle service in Japan with Hinomaru Kotsu overseeing fleet operations.
Topics: Alphabet Las Vegas expansion Robotaxi Tokyo launch Waymo