Can I ride Wayve in Tokyo?

Riding Wayve in Tokyo

The three companies announced the project on Mar 11, 2026. Nissan supplies the LEAF, Wayve the driving software, and Uber the booking, so riders would request trips in the Uber app. A trained safety operator will be in the car, which means Tokyo would start with a supervised model rather than empty-seat rides. Launch timing is subject to discussions with the authorities, and no rides had begun as of Oct 13, 2026.

Many details are still open. No service area, airport plan, fare or age rule has been published, and the pilot's car count is unknown. Japan's amended Road Traffic Act created a permit system for driverless operation in April 2023, though a supervised pilot with an operator aboard is a different step. Japan rules explains the framework.

The template is Wayve's London service. In London, Uber riders have been matched with supervised Wayve cars since Sep 3, 2026, with a TfL-licensed driver aboard and no extra cost on UberX, Uber Electric or Uber Comfort. In Tokyo, Wayve's counterpart is Waymo, which aims for fully autonomous public rides in 2027 through the GO and Waymo apps. If both stick to their targets, Wayve would be first, with a safety operator, and Waymo would follow without one.