Autonomous taxi ready for road test in Tokyo
JAPANESE TAXI operator Hinomaru Kotsu Co and robotics startup ZMP Inc have said they will jointly test an autonomous taxi on public roads in central Tokyo starting late next month.
This is the world’s first self-driving taxi service carrying passengers on public roads, according to the two companies.
They aim to put the service to practical use by 2020.
In the service, a minivan equipped with a ZMP-developed self-driving system will shuttle on a 5.3-kilometre stretch between the Otemachi and Roppongi districts four times a day between August 27 and Septemebr 8.
A one-way fare will be set at 1,500 yen.
Passengers will be selected by lottery if the number of applicants exceeds limits.
A Hinomaru Kotsu driver will be in the driving seat and a system operator in the front passenger seat to prepare |for possible emergency situations.
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