Japan To Allow Autonomous Vehicles On Its Highways In April 2023

Beginning this spring, Japan aims to introduce a limited number of nearly autonomous vehicles onto public roads, opening the door for services like robotaxis and driverless buses.

According to proposals made public this week, the National Police Agency wants to lift a restriction on so-called Level 4 self-driving cars, which can operate without a driver under certain conditions.

SoftBank Group-backed Boldly recently announced a partnership with Estonia’s Auve Tech that intends to put Level 4 self-driving buses on Japanese roads by fiscal 2023.

Japan’s government also aims to have mobility services featuring Level 4 vehicles in 40 areas by 2025 and more than 100 by 2030.

“We plan to have that many projects just on our own,” Boldly CEO Yuki Saji said.

Working with partners like telecoms KDDI and NTT, another firm, Nagoya-based Tier IV, started a trial of self-driving shuttle buses in February to transport passengers between terminals at Narita Airport near Tokyo.

After a public comment session that is expected to finish in November, specifics regarding Japan's new regulations for Level 4 cars, including when they will be permitted on roads, will be made available.

Meanwhile in China, the world's largest search engine, Baidu, received approval to run completely autonomous robotaxis in the country for the first time in August. 

When necessary, such as under hazardous driving conditions, Level 4 technology is meant to bring vehicles to a safe halt without a driver, in contrast to less-advanced Level 3 technology.