Robotaxis Roaming Around Yokohama Are Winning Over Unlikely Fans
- Nissan demonstration is largest of type in Japan to date
- Service may ease public transport labor dearth, help elderly
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Nissan Motor Co. is carrying out Japan’s largest demonstration to date of autonomous vehicles in an area to the south of Tokyo, as the automaker moves toward rolling out a commercial robotaxi service.
Although regulations and the need for further technology improvements mean a full-scale launch is still some years away, Nissan has been testing the self-driving taxi service in Yokohama, near its corporate headquarters. Passengers can book rides via a smartphone app that covers some 650 routes and embark and disembark from 23 points around the city.