Self-driving EV robotaxis coming soon to roads in Japan

Autonomous EV robotaxis are set to hit the the streets of Tokyo soon.

Japanese start-up Tier IV has been chosen for a self-driving taxi demonstration project by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

The company is now working hard on a prototype, which has the potential to change transportation options in Japan. 

The first public rides for the autonomous taxis are set to take place in November.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie

The startup is working on a prototype of the EV robotaxi

In recent months there’s been plenty of progress and updates on autonomous taxis, with Tesla Robotaxi set to launch in October, and Chinese startup WeRide being given the thumbs up to carry passengers in California.

Now Tier IV is developing its robotaxi, which looks a bit like a mini-van and can fit up to six passengers plus a driver. 

“We aim to package everything from the vehicle to the system so that we can start commercial operation of autonomous taxis within a few months of starting the project,” Shinpei Kato, the founder of Tier IV, told Wired.

Design plans shared online, show the vehicle will have large windows and a roomy open interior. 

For safety and security, sensors are attached to the car’s body and it will use a remote monitoring system.

At this stage in development, it’s likely a driver’s seat will be fitted so that a human can monitor the EV’s autonomous driving. 

The company has partnered with Toray Carbon Magic to create a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic molding for the prototype. 

The first public rides will take place in November

Tier IV will begin commercial operation of Japan’s first Level 4 autonomous taxis in November this year. 

According to Wired, the mini-van-style-robotaxi won’t be quite ready for those first public rides and will instead use mass-produced taxi vehicles called JPN Taxi that will be fitted with sensors and Tier IV’s self-driving software.

That same software – called Autoware – is available open-source for other companies to use. 

The project forms part of a larger plan from the Japanese government to provide Level 4 autonomous transportation services in more than 100 municipalities nationwide by 2027. 

Following the initial roll-out in Odaiba in November, Tier IV says it plans to commercially operate its self-driving taxis in three Tokyo locations by 2025. 

Watch this space.