Two automotive giants, Honda from Japan and General Motors (GM) from the United States, along with their self-driving subsidiary, Cruise, announced plans on Thursday to introduce driverless commercial taxi services in Japan by early 2026.
This marks a significant milestone in their longstanding partnership.
This service is set to commence in central Tokyo with dozens of completely autonomous "Cruise Origin" vehicles, which do not require a driver's seat or steering wheel, and can accommodate up to six passengers, according to a joint statement.
The statement further elaborated that the service is expected to expand beyond central Tokyo, utilizing a fleet of 500 "Cruise Origin" vehicles.
The three companies intend to establish a joint venture in Japan by early 2024 to prepare for and subsequently launch this ambitious project.
Honda, GM, and Cruise express their desire to contribute to addressing social challenges faced by Japan, such as the shortage of taxi and bus drivers, due to the rapidly aging population in the country.
Approximately 30% of Japanese citizens are aged 65 and above, with over 10% of adults being 80 and older. The need for innovative transportation solutions is becoming increasingly evident.
Cruise began offering paid rides in its self-driving cars in a few U.S. cities starting in 2022, and similar services are also available in China.
However, the gradual expansion of the use of self-driving vehicles is not without controversy, as they occasionally experience accidents.
Nevertheless, proponents of their usage argue that they will ultimately contribute to road safety.
In Japan, companies like Nissan and Toyota also have plans to offer commercial autonomous taxi services in the future, signaling a broader trend towards self-driving transportation solutions.
Follow the latest news on Google News
