Uber Stock Rises 3.61% on Tokyo Robotaxi Partnership With Nissan and Wayve

TLDR

• Uber, Nissan, and UK startup Wayve have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and deploy robotaxis in Tokyo.
• The pilot is planned for late 2026, using Nissan’s LEAF EV with Wayve’s AI driving system, available via Uber’s platform.
• A trained safety driver will be in the vehicle during the initial phase.
• This is Uber’s first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan, part of a wider rollout to over 10 cities globally.
• Wayve recently raised $1.2 billion in a Series D round, valuing the company at $8.6 billion.

Uber (UBER) rose 3.61% after the company announced a three-way partnership with Nissan (NSANY) and UK-based self-driving startup Wayve to launch robotaxi services in Tokyo.

Uber Technologies, Inc., UBER

The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and deploy the service, with a pilot program in Tokyo set for late 2026.

The plan is to put Wayve’s end-to-end AI autonomous driving system into Nissan’s LEAF electric vehicle. Riders will book trips through Uber’s existing ride-hailing platform.

During the early phase, a trained safety operator will be inside the vehicle at all times. The companies described this as a responsible approach to introducing the technology.

Wayve has been testing its system in Japan since early 2025. That testing was focused on understanding the country’s roads, which are known for complex layouts and strict safety standards.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi noted the Tokyo pilot follows a planned launch in London, framing it as part of a wider global expansion. The service is set to roll out in more than 10 cities worldwide.

For Uber, this marks its first autonomous vehicle deal in Japan. The company said it will launch the service through a licensed taxi partner and is currently choosing which partner to work with.

Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa said the partnership builds on existing work with Wayve on AI technology for its vehicle lineup. He called the Tokyo pilot a natural next step for that collaboration.

Wayve’s $1.2B Raise Fuels Global Push

Wayve closed a $1.2 billion Series D round last month. The round valued the company at $8.6 billion post-money.

The investor list includes Uber, Nissan, Microsoft (MSFT), Nvidia (NVDA), Mercedes-Benz (MBGAF), and Stellantis (STLA), as well as SoftBank Group. That’s a broad mix of tech and automotive backers.

Wayve CEO Alex Kendall said the Tokyo partnership allows the company to deploy its technology “in a responsible way” while continuing to learn from real-world data.

Nissan’s Role in the Joint Initiative

Nissan’s LEAF EV serves as the base vehicle for the pilot. The car will connect directly to Uber’s network once Wayve’s system is integrated.

Espinosa said Nissan’s goal is to bring “mobility intelligence to everyday life” and that the Tokyo pilot is a direct expression of that strategy.

Nissan (NSANY) stock rose 1.25% on the news.

Uber stock closed up 3.61% on the day the partnership was announced.

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