Honda And General Motors To Launch Driverless Taxis Targeted To Operate In Tokyo By 2026

Cruise And Honda Sumber Cruise 2 Autonomous Vehicles

JAKARTA - If nothing changes, Honda Motor Co., and General Motors Co., will launch a driverless taxi joint venture targeted to operate in Tokyo, Japan in 2026.

This step was taken in line with changes in the automotive industry that switched to autonomous and zero emissions vehicles.

The plan, the two top manufacturers, along with GM's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Cruise, will form a joint venture in 2024.

Later, this business will use Cruise Origin's self-driving electric vehicle, which was jointly developed by the three partners, to serve prospective passengers.

The venture will start in downtown Tokyo with several dozen electric vehicles. Later, this will be the first driverless taxi service operating in an urban area in Japan.

Once in the capital area, this service is planned to be expanded out of town, with the number of fleets added to about 500 electric vehicles.

This taxi will not have a driver's seat later. The outside cabin has two new seats, capable of accommodating up to six passengers who sit face-to-face. To order this service or make payments, everything is done through the smartphone application.

"The driverless taxi service will offer a new transportation option that the public has never felt," Honda Toshihiro Mibe said at a news conference, reported by Kyodo News Nov. 10.

"We will offer free and meaningful human mobility," he said.

New advanced technology and auto services are increasingly important for global automakers, as vehicles are expected to become more connected, autonomous, sharing and electric-powered, known as CASE.

It is known, the Cruise Origin vehicle to be used is classified as a Level 4 autonomous vehicle, in five autonomous vehicle scales. Level 4 means the vehicle is fully automated under certain conditions.

"Japan is known for its rapid adoption of new technology. With Honda's leadership in this area, we believe this vehicle can be used safely for consumers," said GM CEO Mary Barra.

Previously, Honda and GM agreed in 2018 to jointly develop self-driving vehicles. The Japanese automaker launched a vehicle test on public roads this year in Tochigi Prefecture for self-driving taxi services.