Japan Starts Autonomous Inter-Jemput Service Trial Around Parliament Building

Illustration of autonomous buses in Japan. (Wikimedia Commons/Melihat Meinaka)

JAKARTA - The Japanese government started testing the use of autonomous vehicles for shuttle services for officials traveling around the Parliament Building in the middle of last month.

This one-month trial will involve the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to examine the technical and reliability aspects of Level 2 self-driving vehicles equipped with the "hands-off" function.

Three self-driving vehicles will be added to existing government shuttle services, which are now operated in ordinary cars connecting the Ministry of Industry, Parliament, and office buildings for lawmakers from the two assemblies.

About three pick-up services per hour will operate in the Kasumigaseki area, known for its heavy traffic.

"The journey is comfortable. I want to support efforts to bring this technology to the public as soon as possible," said Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa, who tried to take the bus before the trial, quoted from Kyodo News (4/12).

At Level 2, or partial automation, the system controls steering, accelerator, and brakes so that the vehicle can automatically follow the predetermined route, while the driver remains in it.

The government seeks to encourage the wider use of self-driving technology by considering Level 4 vehicles, which do not require drivers under certain conditions.

This push comes amid a severe labor crisis, while the transportation sector is also struggling with driver shortages.