Tech Honda, GM to launch driverless taxi in 2026

Honda Motor Co. and General Motors Co. announced they will launch a driverless taxi joint venture that will be operational by early 2026 in Tokyo as the auto industry rapidly shifts to vehicles that use autonomous and zero-emission technologies. The two automakers, along with GM's autonomous driving car unit called Cruise, will set up the venture in 2024 in Japan, with Honda taking a majority stake. The ride-hailing service will use self-driving Cruise Origin electric vehicles jointly developed by the three partners, the automakers said.

Japan has been falling behind in introducing driverless taxis. The United States and China -- the world's two biggest auto markets -- are among the front runners, with driverless taxi services being already available in some parts of both countries. Japan is grappling with driver shortages in the transportation sector. Bus and train operators are scaling back their services in rural areas in particular, with the number of taxi drivers also dwindling following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cruise Origin vehicles will be classified as Level 4 autonomous driving vehicles, the second highest of five scales for the technology. Level 4 means the vehicles are fully automated under certain conditions. "Japan is famous for its quick embrace of new technologies. With Honda's leadership in the region, we are confident these vehicles can be safely deployed for consumers," GM CEO Mary Barra said while attending the press conference online. Honda and GM agreed in 2018 to jointly develop self-driving vehicles and the Japanese carmaker launched a vehicle test on public roads this year in Tochigi Prefecture for a self-driving taxi service.

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Just in time. There's a driver shortage in Japan from what I've heard.

More updates on the Cruise Origin: Honda Motor is set to collaborate with taxi firms to launch autonomous taxis in Japan, providing cars and technology to current services. This approach of sharing responsibilities is unique in the emerging field. Honda aims to introduce these autonomous taxis in Tokyo by 2026, working with Teito Motor Transportation and Kokusai Motorcars. The company actively engages with the government to adjust regulations to accommodate this advancement.

Honda's plan splits these roles, with existing taxi operators running the cabs while Honda offers a comprehensive support package that includes ride-hailing apps and such safeguards as remote monitoring. The taxis will have Level 4 self-driving capabilities, meaning that they will be capable of fully autonomous driving under specified conditions. Japan requires that these vehicles be operated under human supervision. Operating cabs with only remote monitoring takes complex decision-making and ensuring a high level of safety -- hurdles that taxi operators would have trouble meeting on their own. Honda's support package would lower this barrier to entry while also reducing costs.

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The project is set to begin with an initial fleet of approximately 500 vehicles to assess its viability. Teito and Kokusai are tasked with vehicle inspection, maintenance, and managing the control centres, with the expectation that this initiative will enhance their profitability and mitigate the issue of driver scarcity. Last October, Honda disclosed its intention to initiate an autonomous ride-hailing service through a new partnership, primarily owned by Honda, alongside GM and Cruise, targeting a 2024 launch.

In 2023, Japan authorized the operation of Level 4 autonomous vehicles on its public roads. However, the country's inaugural transportation service utilizing these vehicles, located in Eiheiji town, was halted in October following a minor accident involving a bicycle.


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