Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Japan’s First Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle Collides With Bicycle, Operations Halted

globalautonews Views  

Japan’s first Level 4 autonomous vehicle has been involved in a collision with a bicycle, leading to a halt in operations, as reported by Nikkei Automotive. Four passengers were in the vehicle at the time of the incident, but no injuries were reported. The cyclist was also unharmed.

Following the collision, the control center independently decided to stop the operation of the autonomous vehicle. Currently, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism are investigating the cause. Operations will not resume until the cause is determined and preventative measures are implemented.

In this incident, the brakes were applied, but contact with the bicycle could not be avoided.

Meanwhile, a paid mobility service corresponding to Level 4 autonomous driving began in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, in May. This is the first time in Japan that a mobility service using driverless vehicles has been put into practical use.

The driving route has an electronic guideline, and the vehicle drives along this line. RFID tags are buried at the start and end points. The vehicle reads the information from these tags and stops at designated places at the start and end points. The service operates three vehicles, one making 18 round trips per day. Each vehicle travels approximately 43.5 miles (70km) per day.

The vehicles are charged before departure, allowing for continuous driving without the need for charging en route. The operation is based on a timetable, similar to a bus or train service. There are no stops between the start and endpoints.

This project is part of the ‘Road to the L4’ national project promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan. The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology served as the secretariat, and Mitsubishi Electric, Yamaha Motor, and Soliton Systems jointly developed and tested the service. Of these four companies and organizations, Yamaha developed the autonomous vehicle.

The company, working on a Level 3 autonomous golf cart-type electric vehicle, upgraded it for Level 4 use. Mitsubishi Electric developed the independent driving control system. At the same time, Soliton was responsible for developing the remote monitoring system.

The vehicle is equipped with a single-lens camera and a LiDAR sensor to monitor the front of the vehicle. It also uses a camera, millimeter radar, and ultrasonic sensor.

The service operates from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, making three round trips per hour. If there is demand, irregular operations are planned from 9 a.m. to sunset on weekdays. The fare is 100 yen (about $0.91) for adults and 50 yen (about $0.45) for middle school students and younger (free for preschoolers).

Future tasks include improving the system to operate in all weather conditions and at night, as well as increasing the vehicle’s speed. Currently, the service’s speed is limited to less than 7.5 mph (12km/h).

globalautonews
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[BUSINESS] Latest Stories

  • Honda's NSX Returns: A 1,000-Horsepower Electric Rival to Lexus LFR
  • Honda’s S7 Electric SUV: A Major Player in the Race for EV Dominance
  • Lamborghini's First EV: A 2,000-Horsepower Beast Built for Speed and Emotion
  • Ford Revives Classic Design with the 2025 Bronco Heritage Edition
  • ID.EVERY1: Volkswagen's $21K Electric Vehicle Aims to Make Green Driving Accessible
  • Toyota’s bZ3X SUV Surges with 10,000 Pre-Orders: A New Era in EVs

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Neck Wrinkles Giving You Away? Here’s How to Smooth Things Out

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Pfizer Ends Obesity Drug Trial After Liver Risk Emerges

    LATEST 

  • 3
    Real Teeth, Grown in a Lab? Scientists Say It’s Closer Than You Think

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Truth About Carbs and Kids: Why Balance Is Everything

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Scabies in the Dorms? Here’s How Fast It Can Spread

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Drank Last Night? Here's Why Skipping the Gym Might Be Smarter

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 2
    Think Twice Before Adding Water to Your Shampoo Bottle—Here’s Why

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 3
    Can Balancing Blood Sugar Help You Lose Weight? Here's Why it Matters

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 4
    Scientists Find Brain Switch That Could Help Reverse Memory Loss

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 5
    Hugh Jackman Did It for Wolverine. Can You Do It for Your Waistline?

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Neck Wrinkles Giving You Away? Here’s How to Smooth Things Out

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Pfizer Ends Obesity Drug Trial After Liver Risk Emerges

    LATEST 

  • 3
    Real Teeth, Grown in a Lab? Scientists Say It’s Closer Than You Think

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Truth About Carbs and Kids: Why Balance Is Everything

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Scabies in the Dorms? Here’s How Fast It Can Spread

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Drank Last Night? Here's Why Skipping the Gym Might Be Smarter

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Think Twice Before Adding Water to Your Shampoo Bottle—Here’s Why

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Can Balancing Blood Sugar Help You Lose Weight? Here's Why it Matters

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Scientists Find Brain Switch That Could Help Reverse Memory Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Hugh Jackman Did It for Wolverine. Can You Do It for Your Waistline?

    LIFESTYLE