Nissan, DeNA show outline of autonomous mobility service test

February 24, 2018

Yokohama- Nissan Motor Co. and DeNA Co. announced Friday the outline of a planned joint trial of an autonomous mobility service using a smartphone app, aiming for a service launch in the early 2020s.

The trial will be the first of its kind in Japan, according to the companies.

The field test will be held March 5-18 on a 4.5-kilometer route in the Minato Mirai area, which includes hospitals and large-scale commercial facilities, in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, using two self-driving Nissan Leaf electric vehicles, according to the outline.

Some 300 smartphone users selected from applicants will use the transportation service, which will be available at four points on the route, for free and be asked about their user experience, preferred pricing and other questions.

Although a Nissan official will be in the driver's seat to ensure safety, autonomous driving is expected if there is no danger.

DeNA is in charge of the development of a necessary app.

"We will offer a new mobility service in addition to our main business of providing attractive vehicles," Nissan President Hiroto Saikawa told in a joint news conference in Yokohama with DeNA President Isao Moriyasu.

"The number of people who have difficulty travelling is increasing in line with the (country's) aging society," Moriyasu said. "We want to resolve (the issue) with the power of the Internet and artificial intelligence."

A transportation service involving driverless vehicles faces challenges including reviews of related legislation and identifying who will be for responsible for accidents.

Nissan and DeNA are planning to develop their new initiative in line with parliamentary discussions on such a service. Jiji Press