By Autonomous driving could be coming to your next car, thanks to a new collaboration between Waymo and Toyota. The two companies have announced plans to explore integrating Waymo’s self-driving technology into Toyota’s future vehicles—a potential milestone in bringing advanced automation to everyday drivers.
While still in its early stages, the agreement sets the foundation for a broader partnership aimed at combining Toyota’s extensive automotive manufacturing capabilities with Waymo’s expertise in autonomous vehicle systems. Together, they envision building a new platform tailored specifically for self-driving vehicles.
Until now, Waymo’s autonomous driving technology has been largely confined to its own robotaxi fleet. The prospect of this technology making its way into privately owned Toyota vehicles represents a significant shift in strategy—one that could eventually put advanced driverless systems into the hands of everyday consumers.
This collaboration aligns with Toyota’s long-term goal of reducing traffic accidents to zero. The company has consistently emphasized a safety-first approach, investing heavily in technologies like Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) and pursuing ways to make life-saving features widely accessible.
Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President at Toyota, emphasized the shared vision driving the partnership: a future in which mobility is both safer and more inclusive. He pointed to Waymo’s proven track record in automated driving and expressed optimism about what the two companies could achieve together.
Waymo’s autonomous systems have already logged millions of miles on public roads and are actively deployed in cities including Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The company’s robotaxis now provide hundreds of thousands of rides weekly. More importantly, Waymo says the data shows a significant safety advantage, with its vehicles involved in far fewer injury-related accidents compared to human drivers.
According to Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, the goal is to become the most trusted driver in the world—and that means partnering with global automakers who share a deep commitment to safety and accessibility. For Waymo, Toyota represents an ideal partner in extending the reach of autonomous driving technology.
Though the collaboration remains in its exploratory phase, the implications are far-reaching. If successful, this partnership could accelerate the arrival of advanced automation features in consumer vehicles, marking a turning point in the evolution of personal mobility.
For now, it’s a promising start—and one that brings the idea of a self-driving car in your garage a step closer to reality.