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Cruise, General Motors Company (GM), and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) have come together to bring a groundbreaking self-driving ride service to Japan, set to launch in early 2026. To solve Japan's transport problems, several parties are working together like a superhero team. In addition to making it simpler to move around, they are also altering how we move.
The New Venture
The three companies plan to establish a new joint venture company in the first half of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals. The impending autonomous ridehail service in Japan will be spearheaded by this new company.
The Cruise Origin
The Cruise Origin, a special car created in collaboration with GM, Cruise, and Honda and intended exclusively for self-driving ride services, is the centerpiece of this interesting initiative. The Cruise Origin is unlike any car you've seen before – it doesn't have a driver's seat or a steering wheel. Instead, it has a roomy interior with room for up to six passengers to sit facing each other comfortably. To access this service, customers will simply use a dedicated smartphone app, enabling them to hail a Cruise Origin and complete the payment process seamlessly.
The Vision and Target
The objective is clear: to provide a brand-new, hassle-free way for people to get around. This fancy self-driving ride service will be for everyone – whether you're a business person, a family, or a tourist. You've never seen anything like it before—it will be a truly unusual mode of transportation.
Tokyo Launch and Expansion Plans
The three companies are gearing up to launch this innovative service in central Tokyo in early 2026. Initially, they will introduce dozens of Cruise Origins to the streets of Tokyo, ensuring a smooth start. However, their ambition doesn't stop there. They're thinking about adding more of those special Cruise Origin cars - like, 500 of them - because lots of people will want to use this cool service. And they're not stopping just in the center of Tokyo; they want to take it to more places so that even more folks can use it.
Addressing Societal Issues
This cool project is all about making life super easy and solving some big problems in Japan. See, this new self-driving trip service will help with the shortage of taxi and bus drivers. Honda and the new company are all in to work together with city governments and transportation folks to make getting around even better.
A Glimpse of the Future
If you're eager to catch a glimpse of the Cruise Origin before the full-scale launch, you're in luck! It's going to be on display for the first time in Japan at the Honda booth during the JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023 at Tokyo Big Site.
In conclusion, this partnership between Cruise, GM, and Honda represents a significant advancement in the field of mobility. With Cruise Origin as the centerpiece, their vision for a driverless ridehail service in Japan promises not only convenience but also solutions to pressing societal challenges, all set to become a reality in the bustling streets of Tokyo in early 2026. So, keep an eye out for the future of transportation in Japan!