Skip to main content

Navya to operate autonomous shuttles in Japan 

Navya is to deploy autonomous electric shuttles in the Japanese city of Sakai in April.
By Ben Spencer February 24, 2020 Read time: 1 min
Left to right: Henri Coron (Navya chief business development officer), Atsushi Sato (Macnica president),  Masahiro Hashimoto (Sakai Mayor), Yuki SAJI - SB Drive (president). Source: Navya

The company says this is to address a shortage of bus and taxi drivers. 

Henri Coron, chief business development officer at Navya, says deployment comes only six months after obtaining permission to operate on public roads in Japan and is part of an agreement with Softbank subsidiary SB Drive.

Navya says the city will use SB Drive’s fleet management system to remotely monitor the Autonom shuttles. The vehicles will be operated by digital solutions group Macnica on routes that connect medical facilities, post offices, schools and banks. 



 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Go wireless with Traffic Group
    December 2, 2021
    Wireless temporary traffic light system - Metro Haul Route Crossing System - launched
  • EasyMile upgrades EZ10 to operate without on-board attendant
    June 10, 2019
    EasyMile has launched a version of its EZ10 driverless shuttle which does not require an on-board attendant at the Global Public Transport Summit 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden. EasyMile says the latest version of the shuttle is managed from a remote control centre where a supervisor monitors the autonomous vehicle via a real-time data stream and ensures communication with passengers. The shuttle’s sensor has been optimised for a more accurate vision even in challenging weather conditions, the company adds.
  • Informal transport moves emerging megacities
    August 11, 2020
    If you want to get to work in emerging markets, the chances are you may not be using traditional public transit lines. Devin de Vries of WhereIsMyTransport makes the case for informal networks
  • Western Cape province targets road deaths
    March 26, 2012
    South Africa’s Western Cape province has revealed plans to deploy technology – satellite trackers in all public transport vehicles, ANPR built into freeway cameras, and cameras at level crossings – in an attempt to reduce road deaths, according to a report by Independent Newspapers.