UK Self-Driving Startup Wayve Expands to Japan
TOKYO (Reuters) – British self-driving technology startup Wayve has established a new testing and development centre in Japan, marking its first expansion into an Asian market. The centre will enable Wayve to accelerate the development of its AI-powered driving software in collaboration with automakers and support testing in Tokyo and surrounding regions.
By incorporating training data from Japan’s complex road environments, Wayve will strengthen the generalization of its foundation model and enhance adaptability across global markets. The company’s technology uses machine learning with camera sensors mounted on vehicles to learn from traffic patterns and driver behaviour, differing from conventional systems that rely on detailed digital maps and coding.
Wayve, backed by SoftBank Group, is also testing its technology in the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, and Canada. Nissan, Japan’s third-biggest automaker, recently announced that its next-generation autonomous driving technology, set to launch in fiscal 2027, will feature software supplied by Wayve.
The expansion into Japan represents a significant step for Wayve as it continues to develop its autonomous driving capabilities in diverse geographical locations. The collaboration with Japanese automakers and the utilization of Japan’s challenging road conditions are expected to enhance the robustness and versatility of Wayve’s AI-powered driving software.
