Wayve, an AI technology developer for automobile, Uber Technologies and Nissan Motor signed MOU for development of AI-based autonomous driving ‘robo-taxi.’ The three companies will start demonstration of the autonomous driving system in Tokyo in the second half of 2026.

Under the demonstration phase, they will provide users with Nissan LEAF embodied Wayve’s ‘AI Driver’ through Uber app. In the first stage, a trained safety driver will be on board with passengers. A Uber user can use the ‘robo-taxi’ service as transportation in daily life. 

Uber plans to introduce this service through partnerships with taxi operators, and is currently working closely with relevant government ministries and agencies while also selecting potential partners.

Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber Technologies CEO, commented that Japan is a crucial market for addressing social challenges such as driver shortages through innovation and supporting the future of urban transportation.

Beginning technical verification in Japan in 2025, Wayve has been accumulating data on Japan's unique road environment. Alex Kendall, Wayve CEO, said that introduction of the Embodied AI (embodied AI) in Tokyo, an advanced mobility market, is a very important step.

Wayve plans to expand its autonomous driving service to more than 10 cities worldwide, including London, in addition to Tokyo. ‘AI Driver’ has the ability to learn from real-world data without using HD maps and adapt to new road and urban environments.