Driverless French EV shuttle tested in Japan

A French driverless EV has done its first demonstration test in Japan on the way to providing fully automated public transportation services.

The Navya Arma vehicle, developed by Navya SAS, is designed to navigate fixed routes for shuttle bus services while avoiding obstacles. It can carry up to 15 passengers and reach 45kmh, The Japan Times reports

Media were able to attend the test by researchers, including some from the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Industrial Science, bus organisations and companies.

More tests were planned, with people able to ride free during the park trial.

SB Drive Corp, a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp, which owns the vehicle in the test, says a Swiss city has already introduced Navya Arma vehicles to its public transportation system. The vehicle has also been tested in the US.

The Japanese government has been promoting autonomous driving technologies ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics through public and private-sector cooperation.

DeNA Co, another major IT company, has been holding driverless vehicle tests at commercial and university facilities using a different vehicle.

Navya is meanwhile about to open its first US production plant in Michigan, Business Wire reports.

It’s working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and high-tech business support group Ann Arbor Spark so the 1858 square metre plant can build about 25 Arma autonomous shuttles before next year.