Robot taxis will take to the streets of Japan next year
Goal of a full fleet launch by 2020 Olympics
Japanese-based company Robot Taxi has it sights set on launching a full fleet of driverless, robotic taxis for use during the 2020 Olympics.
In order to achieve that goal, the company will launch a small scale version of its robot taxis in Kanagawa, just south of Tokyo.
The initial 2016 roll-out will cater to approximately 50 residents, transporting them from their homes to local stores, as well as other places where they cannot access public transportation.
Each test trip will transport passengers just under two miles and each taxi will have to try out driving on main streets with real, human drivers.
The company has decided to place a human driver in the front seat during testing to simply sit in case of an emergency that would require intervention.
Although the company is eager to get Robot Taxis up-and-running by 2020, the main company goal is to assist the elderly, children, and people with disabilities.
Watch the company’s concept video below for a better idea of how Robot Taxis work.
Story via Wall Street Journal.
