Did you know there are self-driving, driverless taxis?
While not in Japan, companies like Waymo—part of Alphabet Inc., the same parent company as Google—are actually operating self-driving taxi services in urban areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles in the United States. Just like Uber taxis, which are now widely used in Japan, you simply download the app, enter your pickup location and destination, and Waymo will come to pick you up just like a regular taxi. Since your credit card information is linked during app registration, payment is automatically processed after the ride, eliminating any hassle.
A friend recently rode one. They found it strange there was no one in the driver’s seat, but said it arrived safely at their destination just like a regular taxi. They also enjoyed the comfort of not needing to tip—a must in the US—and not having to worry about the driver. Differences from regular taxis include opening/closing doors via the app, the vehicle starting automatically once you fasten your seatbelt, being able to set your preferred music genre after boarding, and knowing the estimated arrival time, making it seem more convenient.
Waymo appears to be a global pioneer in autonomous driving, holding numerous patents including Japanese Patent Registration No. 7712751 (Thermal imaging for self-driving vehicles) and Japanese Patent Registration No. 6985523 (Determining and responding to internal conditions of a vehicle).
In Japan, test drives have begun in Tokyo. I think it would be convenient not only for tourist areas but also as taxis for the elderly in depopulated areas, or as privately owned vehicles that even people with limited mobility could drive, enabling their use for picking up and dropping off children. I look forward to the continued evolution of autonomous driving technology. (Chamomile)
Waymo – Self-Driving Cars – Autonomous Vehicles – Ride-Hail
https://waymo.com/intl/jp/waymo-in-japan/ (Japanese)