Panasonic to launch autonomous cart ride-share in 2021

Panasonic is to launch a ride-sharing service of autonomous electric carts in Japan in 2021 for small towns and other ‘confined’ areas. A report by The Mainichi says the company is now using four carts to transport more than 14,000 employees around its headquarters in Osaka Prefecture ahead of the commercial launch. The carts operate at 20 km/h per hour on a 2.4km loop around the premises, which is around 468,000 m2 in size. An spokesperson is quoted as saying during a press conference: "We are not tryin
November 6, 2019 Read time: 1 min

598 Panasonic is to launch a ride-sharing service of autonomous electric carts in Japan in 2021 for small towns and other ‘confined’ areas.

A report by %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external The Mainichi false https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191017/p2g/00m/0bu/098000c false false%>says the company is now using four carts to transport more than 14,000 employees around its headquarters in Osaka Prefecture ahead of the commercial launch.

The carts operate at 20 km/h per hour on a 2.4km loop around the premises, which is around 468,000 m2 in size.

An spokesperson is quoted as saying during a press conference: "We are not trying to make high-speed autonomous cars because we are not an automaker. We would like to create slow and human-friendly mobility.”

Each cart comes with four seats, sensors, cameras and telecommunications equipment.

Panasonic is hoping the service will be introduced in theme parks or venues for large events such as the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka.

Related Content

  • January 2, 2018
    CVMA: Quebec's ZEV plan may create unintended consequences
    The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association’s (CVMA’s) president Mark Nantais has stated that Quebec’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulations “may result in unintended consequences for consumers, automobile dealers, industry and ultimately, Quebec's economy,” in response to the new strategy introduced by the province’s government. The standard aims to increase the number of ZEVs in the region and to reduce greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions. It will come into effect on the 11 January 2018.
    Read More
  • October 2, 2019
    Lyft updates app to boost two-wheeled travel
    Lyft is tweaking its app in a bid to make it easier for users to switch between different modes of travel - including scooters, bikes, public transit and car rentals. The ride-share firm has added shared bikes and scooters to its app over the past year and says more people are opting for its ‘greenest ride options’. The app displays mobility options in a city and Lyft says it helps users find the safest routes for bikes and scooters. The app will also allow users to compare the time and cost acro
    Read More
  • November 19, 2018
    Beat to bring ride-hailing service to Mexico City
    Beat, a Daimler ride-hailing firm, is opening offices in Mexico City during the first quarter of 2019 and expects to recruit thousands of drivers. Beat says the move is part of a strategy to expand its presence in Latin America. The service and user app are currently available in Lima (Peru), Santiago (Chile), and Bogota (Colombia). Nikos Drandakis, founder and CEO of Beat, says the company initially deployed it service in Mexico City five years ago but did not have the resources at the time to succe
    Read More
  • November 19, 2013
    Evolis launches AVANSIA crystal clear card printer with a 600 dpi resolution at CARTES 2013
    On-demand card printer Evolis is using CARTES 2013 to introduce AVANSIA, a new printer loaded with all the latest retransfer technology. With the retransfer system on AVANSIA, “card printing is performed in two steps”, says Evolis. “First, the card layout is printed through thermal transfer; then the print layer is transferred from the film to the card.” And, says Evolis, the entire surface of the card comes out “crystal clear with text, microprints and watermarks in 600 dpi resolution.”
    Read More

Highlighted Content