TLDR
- Waymo is launching its robotaxi service in Las Vegas, marking its first Nevada market
- The Las Vegas rollout starts with a few dozen vehicles using Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system
- Waymo is targeting a 2027 commercial launch of fully driverless taxis in Tokyo
- The Tokyo service will partner with Japanese taxi-app GO and taxi company Nihon Kotsu
- Alphabet stock has gained 11.8% year-to-date, with analysts seeing 21.9% upside potential
Waymo, the self-driving unit owned by Alphabet, is pushing into new territory. The company announced plans to launch robotaxi services in both Las Vegas and Tokyo, adding to its existing operations across the United States.
Tokyo, your autonomous ride is arriving in 2027 🇯🇵✨ Waymo, @Nihonkotsu_Taxi and @go_goesnext have signed an agreement preparing for the commercial launch of a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Tokyo in 2027.
Read more: https://t.co/56yMVhQoCo pic.twitter.com/QG5DbQ5oMX
— Waymo (@Waymo) September 15, 2026
The Las Vegas launch is Waymo’s first move into Nevada. The company will start with a few dozen vehicles before scaling up over time.
Las Vegas previously had only one robotaxi operator offering paid public rides. Amazon’s Zoox began commercial operations in the city last month, making it the first to enter that market.
Waymo’s Las Vegas vehicles run on its sixth-generation self-driving system. The cars are built on a Zeekr vehicle platform and branded as the Ojai.
Waymo was valued at $126 billion in February after raising $16 billion. The company currently delivers more than 500,000 autonomous trips per week across its U.S. markets.
Earlier this month, Waymo also announced expansion plans for Denver, San Diego, and Tampa, adding to its existing presence in California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona.
Tokyo Launch Planned for 2027
Waymo is also targeting an international expansion. The company plans to launch a commercial driverless taxi service in Tokyo in 2027, making it the first such service in Japan.
Waymo has partnered with Japanese taxi-app operator GO and taxi company Nihon Kotsu for the launch. The initial fleet will be small, with plans to scale to around 100 vehicles.
The companies have been testing autonomous vehicles on Tokyo roads since 2025. Testing has focused on adapting the technology to Tokyo’s narrow streets and heavy traffic conditions.
Japan’s current laws require a human to sit in the driver’s seat, even in fully autonomous vehicles. The 2027 launch date depends on regulatory approvals being secured.
Customers will be able to hail Waymo vehicles through both the GO and Waymo apps. Nihon Kotsu will handle local operations while GO integrates the service into Japan’s taxi network.
Japan faces a shrinking workforce and a shortage of taxi drivers, which could make it a growth market for autonomous ride services.
Competition Is Growing
Waymo is not the only company looking at global expansion. U.S. startup Nuro has also begun testing vehicles in Tokyo through partnerships with Uber and Lucid Group. Nuro is backed by Nvidia and Toyota.
Amazon’s Zoox remains a competitor in the U.S. market, while Tesla is also working on self-driving vehicle technology.
On Wall Street, Alphabet carries a Strong Buy rating based on 24 Buy ratings and four Hold ratings on TipRanks. The average price target of $425.88 implies 21.9% upside from current levels.
Alphabet shares have gained 11.8% year-to-date as of the latest data.
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