Waymo and Toyota have entered into a preliminary partnership aimed at exploring the possibility of integrating Waymo’s autonomous driving technology with Toyota’s automotive platforms, in a move that could mark a major step toward widespread adoption of self-driving cars for consumers.
As part of the collaboration, Toyota’s advanced technology division, Woven by Toyota, will also participate. The joint effort seeks to combine Toyota’s expertise in vehicle safety, manufacturing, and global scale with Waymo’s leadership in autonomous software and operational experience.
While the agreement remains non-binding for now, both companies emphasized their shared vision of improving road safety and accessibility through innovation in mobility.
“Toyota is committed to realizing a society with zero traffic accidents,” said Hiroki Nakajima, Toyota’s Executive Vice President. “By working with Waymo, we believe we can bring advanced driving technologies to more people worldwide, helping move us closer to that goal.”
The partnership will initially explore the development of a new autonomous vehicle platform that could eventually serve Toyota’s global customer base. Discussions will also cover adapting Waymo’s self-driving technology for consumer use, potentially making it available via subscription in future Toyota and Lexus models. This could represent a long-awaited pivot for Waymo, which has historically focused on fleet deployments.
While financial terms of the Waymo–Toyota partnership were not disclosed, both companies have indicated that the scope will evolve over time. The partnership is not expected to impact Waymo’s existing plans with Hyundai and Geely, which will continue supplying vehicles to its robotaxi fleet.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., operates the largest commercial autonomous ride-hailing service in the U.S. and currently provides over 250,000 paid rides per week in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. According to internal data, the company’s vehicles are involved in 81% fewer injury-related crashes compared to human-driven cars.
