German-based ZF Friedrichshafen AG recently unveiled its Vision Zero Vehicle, a concept car equipped with autonomous-driving capabilities and an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). The vehicle is equipped with what ZF calls comfort steering, which uses sensors to detect and avoid uneven road surfaces during autonomous driving. With the car’s ADAS, ZF has unveiled for...
self-driving vehicles
National Police Agency Releases Standards for Testing Remote-Controlled Self-Driving Cars on Public Roads
On June 1, 2017, the National Police Agency (NPA) of Japan informed prefectural police departments of new standards for verification tests of remote-controlled self-driving cars on public roads. The standards make it mandatory to conduct preliminary driving evaluations with a police officer on board and to have in place safety measures that allow the car...
Japanese Government Finalizes Public–Private ITS Initiative/Roadmaps 2017
The Japanese government recently concluded deliberations to create Public–Private ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) Initiatives/Roadmaps 2017. The government revised its definition of autonomous driving, specifying forecasts and implementation time frames for the three areas of private vehicles, logistics and transportation in rural areas. The plan incorporates policies to formulate data necessary for implementation while outlining institutional...
Bosch, Sony Semiconductor Team up to Develop In-Vehicle Cameras
Robert Bosch GmbH of Germany announced that it has agreed to enter into a technical partnership with Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. on cameras for self-driving vehicles. The two companies will jointly develop camera technology that will enable vehicles to reliably detect their surroundings even in harsh lighting conditions, such as entering and exiting tunnels when...
DeNA, City of Yokohama to Test Self-Driving Bus Service at Local Zoo
DeNA Co. Ltd. (TYO:2432) and the City of Yokohama announced on April 24 that they will launch a project for resolving regional traffic problems. Utilizing driverless services and AI, the project will look toward a society of autonomous driving in its study of the ideal conditions of new regional traffic. In the first stage of...
Bosch to Commercialize High-Precision Vehicle Tracking System
Robert Bosch GmbH will develop technology that can track a vehicle’s position down to a few centimeters. The technology collects data from onboard cameras and other such sensors, stores it in the cloud, and cross-references it with a highly precise 3D map to accurately find a vehicle’s position. Going forward, the company will commercialize the...
Aioi Nissay Dowa and Gunma University Start Joint Research on Autonomous Cars
Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co. Ltd. and Gunma University on April 19 launched a joint research project that will push forward the technological pursuit of commercializing fully self-driving vehicles, as well as the development of dedicated insurance products. The pair has launched an on-campus research lecture series and will look to acquire incident data through...
As Self-Driving Cars May Obstruct Traffic, Japan’s Police Reviews Road Laws
Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) will reconsider how it enforces regulations pertaining to entry onto expressways. Existing laws and regulations are such that strict adherence would possibly leave self-driving cars unable to merge smoothly into traffic, and automakers have requested the NPA to consider traffic conditions and optimize these regulations accordingly. Japan is looking to...
Japanese Government Compiles Policy Proposals for Autonomous Driving System Development
The Japanese government has compiled basic policy proposals for guidelines on autonomous driving system development. In order to become the first country in the world to implement unmanned driving, the Japanese government will not obstruct technological innovation and will flexibly manage safety inspections. In addition, it will advance the rapid provision of aid to victims...
SoftBank, Advanced Smart Mobility Test Self-Driving Bus in Okinawa
Softbank Group (TYO:9984) affiliate SB Drive Corp. and Advanced Smart Mobility Co. Ltd., a research company for autonomous driving technology, have begun testing a self-driving bus in Okinawa. The two Tokyo-based companies will evaluate whether the automated vehicle can perform such tasks as changing lanes and pulling up to bus stops without leaving a gap....
JARI to Open Japan’s First Automated Driving Test Center
Set to become the first automated driving test center in the country, the Japan Automobile Research Institute’s (JARI) Jtown will begin operation on April 1 in Tsukuba, Chiba Prefecture. With a full-scale test course for self-driving vehicles, Jtown recreates a variety of possible conditions in a real-world traffic environment, including weather and communication circumstances. JARI...
Japan Aviation Electronics to Develop IMU with Centimeter Accuracy
Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd. (TYO:6807) plans to develop an integrated inertial measurement unit (IMU) equipped with GPS. The compact IMU will use micro electric mechanical system (MEMS) sensors. The device will take precision measurements with centimeter accuracy. This ability to obtain accurate location information will help reduce labor costs and implement automation for construction...
Toyota Showcases Self-Driving Test Vehicle in California
The Toyota Research Institute (TRI), a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp. (TYO:7203) that explores domains such as AI, unveiled a new self-driving test car in California on March 3. In addition to enhanced computing capacity and machine learning, the vehicle features easy sensor replacement. As a platform for gathering data from driving tests, the vehicle...
MLIT Mulls Mandatory Insurance in the Self-Driving Age, Studies Other Countries
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) recently set up a panel to consider approaches to automobile liability in the use of self-driving vehicles. The body highlighted trends in systemic reforms by leading countries, including Germany and the U.K. No country has yet gone beyond clarifying liability for Level 3 vehicles, in which...
Nissan and Renault Test Driverless Operating Systems in Paris
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. (TYO:7201) and Renault announced on Feb. 27 an agreement to jointly develop operating systems for driverless vehicles with French-based Transdev, Europe’s largest consultant in the field of managing public transport institutions. The first step will be a field test of Renault’s Zoe electric vehicle (EV) in Paris. The companies will jointly...
MLIT Holds Symposium on Creating International Regulations for Self-Driving Vehicles
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) on Feb. 24 held a symposium in Tokyo on creating international regulations for self-driving vehicles. In addition to introducing activities in Japan and overseas related to establishing standards for self-driving vehicles, there was also a panel discussion. The symposium is part of the activities of the...
Pioneer Partners With Here on Maps for Self-Driving Vehicles
Pioneer Corp. (TYO:6773) has announced an agreement with European map and navigation systems giant Here Global B.V. to form a partnership in the field of global mapping solutions and next-generation position information services. In combining their mapping and automotive technologies, the two companies will provide standard global mapping services and high-definition mapping solutions used by self-driving vehicle...
Japan Looks to Have Self-Driving Consumer Vehicles on Freeways by 2025
The Japanese government has solidified plans to popularize self-driving technology for consumer use. Current traffic laws will be revised by 2020, and fully automated driving on freeways will be allowed by 2025. Additionally, as the number of elderly drivers is expected to increase, the government is encouraging the development and popularization of cars with advanced...
Japan and Germany to Cooperate on Self-Driving Car Technology
The governments of Japan and Germany will be cooperating on R&D for self-driving car technology. Talks are to be held soon for concrete details to be hammered out. Both countries are home to leading companies in the automotive industry and hope that the cooperation will lead to accelerated R&D and dominance in the global market....
Japan to Revise Self-Driving Vehicle Classifications
The Japanese government will revise the levels of classification for self-driving vehicle technology in the spring of 2017. Level 3 classification, which currently determines that speed and steering of corresponding vehicles may be automated while a driver responds to system requirements, will be redefined. Additionally, a provision that allows for automated driving on the freeway...
Denso and NEC to Collaborate on Autonomous Driving
Denso Corp. (TYO:6902) and NEC Corp. (TYO:6701) have announced that they will begin a collaboration in the fields of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving and manufacturing. The companies will combine Denso’s advanced safety technologies with hazard prediction AI developed by NEC to make new products for ADAS and autonomous driving. Progress in autonomous...
Autonomous Vehicle Market to Top 87 Trillion Yen by 2025: JEITA
Global demand for autonomous vehicles is expected to reach 87 trillion yen ($740.72 billion) in 2025, said Toshiaki Higashihara, chairman of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), at a press conference held in Tokyo on Dec. 21. Based on the notion that autonomous vehicles will greatly transform some aspects of society, including...
National Instruments Japan Unveils New Tech for Driverless Cars
Mandip Singh Khorana, president of Tokyo-based National Instruments Japan, recently unveiled new technologies at the 2016 Automotive Testing Expo (ATE) in Michigan, U.S., that offer solutions to current challenges in self-driving vehicle testing. Khorana presented three specific technologies from the company: an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS); a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulator based on the SLSC...
DTC Sees Need for 280 Trillion Yen in Automotive Investments by 2030
Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting Co. Ltd. (DTC) recently held a seminar for the press regarding the outlook for the automotive industry through 2030. Areas covered included forecasts of how next-generation technologies such as electric and self-driving vehicles will impact the overall industry. DTC reports that the industry will require investments worth 280 trillion yen ($2.39 trillion)...
Kyushu University to Begin Holding Demonstration Tests of Autonomous Bus Technology
The Smart Mobility Promotion Consortium announced on Dec. 13 that it will commence demonstration tests of autonomous bus technology at Kyushu University’s Ito Campus in Nishi Ward, Fukuoka, in January 2017. The consortium is comprised of Kyushu University, NTT Docomo Inc. (TYO:9437), DeNA Co. Ltd. (TYO:2432) and the city of Fukuoka. During the project, an...
