Wayve Opens Japan Center, Partners with Nissan

UK-based autonomous vehicle startup Wayve has opened a testing and development center in Yokohama, Japan, marking its first expansion into the Asian market after launches in the UK, US, Canada, and Germany. The new facility will accelerate development of Wayve's AI-powered driving software in collaboration with Japanese automakers, including a partnership with Nissan, where Wayve's AI will be featured in Nissan's upcoming ProPILOT technology. By collecting data from Japan's complex road environments, Wayve aims to improve the adaptability and global generalization of its foundation AI model. Unlike traditional autonomous systems that rely on detailed maps, Wayve's approach uses machine learning and real-world data from camera sensors. This expansion comes after Wayve secured a $1.05 billion Series C funding round led by SoftBank. The move positions Wayve to support the broader rollout of advanced assisted and automated driving technologies worldwide.