On Thursday, Japan’s Honda and US auto giant General Motors revealed their plans to launch a driverless taxi service in Tokyo by 2026, with the aim of addressing labor shortages in an aging society.
This project, co-developed with San Francisco-based self-driving car operator Cruise, promises to provide “an entirely new kind of mobility experience” in Japan, according to Honda. Toshihiro Mibe, Honda’s CEO, described it as a significant step toward realizing an advanced mobility society.
The primary objective of the project is to help Japan address pressing societal challenges, including shortages of taxi and bus drivers.
Furthermore, Japan’s government is actively promoting autonomous vehicles to combat the challenges posed by its aging population and labor shortages. In 2020, Japan became the world’s first country to permit a vehicle capable of full control in specific situations to operate on public roads.
Leading automotive companies like Toyota and Nissan are also testing self-driving buses and taxis.
In addition, Honda’s newly announced service will feature a “vast cabin space” capable of accommodating six passengers. It will be devoid of a driver’s seat and steering wheel. Furthermore, the driverless vehicles will pick up passengers at specified locations and transport them to their destinations entirely through autonomous driving. Customers will be able to manage the entire process through a smartphone app.
Expanding Project
The plan is to launch “dozens” of these driverless cars in Tokyo in early 2026, with the hope of expanding the project to a fleet of 500 vehicles and extending services beyond central Tokyo.
Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of GM emphasized the profound benefits of autonomous vehicles, including safety and accessibility.
However, self-driving cars have not been without controversy, with concerns about safety as operators like Cruise gain momentum, particularly in California.
Furthermore, Honda, GM, and Cruise intend to establish a joint venture dedicated to this new initiative by 2024, subject to regulatory approvals.
