Driverless trial in Japan

Nissan and three partner companies are running an autonomous mobility service pilot in Yokohama.

The pilot started on November 27 and runs until January 30 in the city’s urban areas including Minato Mirai, Sakuragi-cho and Kannai. 

In collaboration with the City of Yokohama, the four companies are operating a fleet of five driverless vehicles based on the Nissan Serena minivan, pictured.

A remote monitoring control centre code-named Plot 48 has been set up in the nearby Minato Mirai district, with the programme aiming to identify operational challenges and to develop an ecosystem that supports the launch of commercial services in a few years’ time.

Around 300 members of the public have been recruited to act as “general monitors”. Those who have signed up get free transport at 26 locations along the route in return for providing feedback that’s being used to enhance operations.

Nissan is leading the planning and execution of the programme, as well as supplying and operating the driverless vehicles.

Boldy is providing the remote monitoring system for the autonomous driving services, while Premier Aid is operating on-board monitoring system and providing passenger support in the event of an incident or emergency.

The Keikyu Corporation is supporting the development of operational and management frameworks from the perspective of a transportation operator.

Based on the results of the pilot programme, the four participating companies aim to launch commercial services starting from financial year 2027. 

These will utilise driverless autonomous vehicles – that’s to say level four. They will be equipped with remote monitoring systems, “contributing to solutions for local transport challenges and promoting a new mobility service that enables easy and accessible movement for all”.