ROBOTAXIS / FLYING TAXIS
JAPAN SET TO LAUNCH SELF-DRIVING TAXI SERVICE IN TOKYO
Japan is poised to become a pioneer in self-driving technology as a tech startup prepares to launch the country’s first Level 4 autonomous taxi service in Tokyo. Tier IV, a Japanese company, has announced plans to introduce the service in November. The self- driving taxis will operate on demand between Tokyo Teleport Station, Kokusai Tenjijo Station, and Miraikan Museum. These high-tech
vehicles,
resembling sleek gray minivans, are designed to handle most normal driving conditions. However, in situations such as
extreme weather or unexpected obstacles, a human driver will take control. The project has received significant government support, securing a US$4.5 million grant from the Ministry of Economy,
Trade, and Industry. Tier IV is also developing a reservation and dispatch system to complement the taxi service. Shinpei Kato, the company’s founder and CEO, expressed confidence in their ability to launch commercial operations within a few months of starting the project. The Japanese government has ambitious goals for autonomous transportation, aiming to have Level 4 services in over 100 municipalities by 2027. The launch of this self-driving taxi service marks a significant step towards achieving that target.
TESLA TO FINALLY REVEAL ROBOTAXI CONCEPT ON THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER
Tesla, the electric vehicle manu- facturer, is set to unveil its long- awaited robotaxi concept on Thursday 10 October. The announcement will take place at the Warner Brothers studio lot in Los Angeles, California, accord- ing to Automotive News. Details on what will be included in the launch are scarce, but the choice of venue provides a hint. The Warner Bros. lot contains a network of interconnected, private roads, making it the ideal spot to demonstrate the functionalities of the product without dealing with any issues of being on the public streets. The unveiling marks a significant milestone for Tesla, which has been making claims about autonomous driving technology for nearly a decade.
66
concepts without delivering on the promises. The robotaxi concept will face competition from other companies, including Verne, an autonomous taxi com- pany created by the founders of super-car manufacturer Rimac,
However, the company has faced criticism for its progress, with its “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” features coming under scrutiny due to safety concerns and staged demonstrations. While the October 10th announcement is a positive step, it’s important to note that a product reveal does not guarantee an immediate launch. Tesla has a history of showcasing
which revealed a completed auto- nomous taxi concept in June. That announcement included details about the brand’s app, as well plans to actually start operating the service in specific cities starting in 2026. Elsewhere, other companies already offering driverless taxi services within American cities include GM-affiliated Cruise and Waymo.
OCTOBER 2024 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
