Nissan and KDDI have begun simultaneous operation of 10 autonomous vehicles in Yokohama. While numerous domestic demonstration projects, including a paid route in Tsukuba and a regional-transportation project in Kamishihoro, are advancing, overseas developments involving Waymo and others, including the release of safety data and progress in new-vehicle development, have also been reported.
Nissan and KDDI began a demonstration project involving the simultaneous operation of 10 autonomous vehicles in the Yokohama Minato Mirai and Kannai districts. The service operates at Level 2, with 28 boarding and alighting points, operating hours from 8:30 to 16:00, capacity for 3 passengers and a safety driver on board. The focus is on verifying data usage, the stability of remote monitoring and the design of operational procedures.
Kanto Railway has begun full-scale operation of a scheduled paid route in Tsukuba, where it is the operating entity. Fares are ¥190–310, the maximum speed is 40 km/h and capacity is 15 people, with a plan to eventually achieve Level 4. In Kamishihoro, a self-driving taxi demonstration for residents has begun, and consideration is advancing regarding its use as regional transportation.
Waymo released data covering 271.3 million miles of driverless driving, reporting an approximately 82% reduction in injury crashes and an approximately 95% reduction in serious crashes compared with the past. Aurora outlined plans to operate more than 30,000 autonomous trucks in 2030 and clarified its policy of shifting to a DaaS model.
California signed SB 1246, requiring the deployment of remote assistance personnel and on-site response, with operations scheduled to begin in 2028. Dubai is developing a testing and certification hub for autonomous driving, and the establishment of a global certification framework is advancing.
Among developments involving Japanese companies, simultaneous operation of 10 vehicles in Yokohama, a scheduled route and paid service in Tsukuba, and a regional-transportation demonstration project in Kamishihoro are progressing. Demonstration and development of the entire driverless-operation system, including remote monitoring, communications and on-site response as well as vehicles, has emerged as a challenge.