NVIDIA- and Uber-backed Nuro is testing autonomous vehicles in Tokyo

US Self-Driving Startup Nuro Begins Autonomous Vehicle Testing on Tokyo’s Challenging Streets

In a bold move that signals the next frontier in autonomous vehicle technology, Nuro—the US-based self-driving startup backed by tech and automotive giants NVIDIA, Toyota, and Uber—has officially begun testing its autonomous vehicles on the bustling, complex streets of Tokyo, Japan. This marks a significant milestone not only for Nuro but also for the global autonomous vehicle industry, as Tokyo’s notoriously narrow, crowded, and left-side driving roads present one of the most challenging environments for self-driving technology.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg, Nuro will be deploying a “handful” of autonomous vehicles in Tokyo, with human safety drivers behind the wheel as required by Japanese law. The decision to test in Tokyo is strategic, as the city’s unique traffic conditions—characterized by tight alleyways, heavy pedestrian traffic, and intricate intersections—serve as a rigorous “pressure test” for Nuro’s autonomous systems. As Nuro CEO Andrew Chapin explained, “Testing the capability of the autonomy system in such an interesting market with some international complexity really is a good pressure test of what the system is capable of.”

Nuro’s ultimate goal is to achieve Level 4 autonomy, which would allow for full self-driving under specific conditions without the need for human intervention. This level of autonomy is seen as a critical step toward the widespread adoption of robotaxis and autonomous delivery vehicles.

The move to Tokyo comes as part of Nuro’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in the autonomous vehicle market. The company plans to launch a robotaxi service in collaboration with Uber and Lucid in San Francisco later this year, further solidifying its position as a key player in the industry. However, Nuro’s approach differs from that of its competitors, such as Waymo, which has also been testing autonomous vehicles in Tokyo in partnership with Japanese taxi operators Nihon Kotsu and the country’s leading taxi app, Go. Waymo has been operating in Japan since April 2025 in collaboration with Toyota.

Nuro’s CEO, Andrew Chapin, emphasized that the company’s vision extends beyond just autonomous rides. “A universal autonomy platform that can be extended to a lot of different applications and form factors is a bit different than the approach Waymo is taking,” he told Bloomberg. This philosophy is evident in Nuro’s previous collaborations, such as its partnership with 7-Eleven on autonomous deliveries in Mountain View, California.

The decision to test in Tokyo also aligns with Uber’s ambitious plans for the future of autonomous transportation. Uber aims to deploy up to 100,000 autonomous vehicles, including 20,000 robotaxis powered by Lucid and Nuro, with a rollout set to begin in 2027. At CES 2026, Uber unveiled its new vehicle design, showcasing its commitment to innovation in the autonomous vehicle space. Additionally, Uber is collaborating with Nissan and Wayve to introduce pilot cars in Tokyo by late 2026, further intensifying the competition in the Japanese market.

As Nuro continues to test its autonomous vehicles in Tokyo, the company has yet to announce which operators or vehicle manufacturers it will partner with in Japan. However, Chapin hinted that Nuro may not limit itself to autonomous rides, suggesting that the company’s technology could be applied to a wide range of applications, from delivery services to logistics and beyond.

The testing of autonomous vehicles in Tokyo represents a significant step forward for Nuro and the broader autonomous vehicle industry. By tackling one of the most challenging urban environments in the world, Nuro is not only pushing the boundaries of what autonomous technology can achieve but also paving the way for its adoption in other complex cities around the globe.

As the race to dominate the autonomous vehicle market heats up, all eyes will be on Tokyo to see how Nuro’s technology performs in this demanding setting. With the backing of industry giants like NVIDIA, Toyota, and Uber, Nuro is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the future of transportation. Whether it’s through robotaxis, delivery services, or other innovative applications, Nuro’s journey in Tokyo is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting chapter in the evolution of autonomous vehicles.

Tags: Nuro, autonomous vehicles, Tokyo, self-driving cars, NVIDIA, Toyota, Uber, robotaxis, Level 4 autonomy, Bloomberg, Waymo, Lucid, CES 2026, Nihon Kotsu, Go, 7-Eleven, Mountain View, California, Nissan, Wayve, autonomous delivery, urban mobility, transportation technology.

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