Toyota Motor Corporation and Waymo have announced a preliminary agreement to explore a strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of autonomous driving technologies. Toyota’s software subsidiary, Woven by Toyota, will also participate in the potential partnership.
The partnership intends to combine Waymo’s autonomous driving systems with Toyota’s vehicle engineering expertise to create a new autonomous vehicle platform. A key area of focus will be on integrating Waymo’s technology into personally owned vehicles (POVs), with an emphasis on improving road safety and accessibility.
Safety and future mobility
The collaboration builds on Toyota’s approach of integrating people, vehicles, and infrastructure to achieve a zero-traffic-accident society. Toyota has developed and deployed the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite globally, aimed at enhancing safety through advanced driver assistance features. The partnership is expected to advance similar automated driving technologies for future POVs.
Waymo, which currently operates its autonomous ride-hailing service across multiple U.S. cities, reported that its vehicles have been involved in 81 per cent fewer injury-related crashes compared to human drivers. The company aims to extend its technology into more vehicle platforms and services, including future Toyota models.
Hiroki Nakajima, Member of the Board and Executive Vice President at Toyota Motor Corporation, said, “Toyota is committed to realising a society with zero traffic accidents and becoming a mobility company that delivers mobility for all. 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 greater safety and peace of mind for all.”Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO at Waymo, added, “Waymo’s mission is to be the world’s most trusted driver. This requires global partners like Toyota that share our commitment to improving road safety and expanding accessible transportation. We look forward to exploring this strategic partnership, incorporating their vehicles into our ride-hailing fleet and bringing the magic of Waymo’s autonomous driving technology to Toyota customers.”
Further details on the scope and implementation of the collaboration will be developed as discussions continue.
