The Tokyo based company Robot Taxi is working with the Japanese government to develop thousands of driverless robotic taxis in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Field tests for the cars will be taking place at the end of this month in Fujisawa just outside Tokyo. Residents will be given the opportunity to be taken from their homes to destinations on journeys of around 3 kilometres.

Japan is staking a lot on this high profile activity in an attempt to prove to the world that it is still a world technology leader. Robot Taxi is a joint venture between DeNA, one of Japan’s mobile Internet pioneers and ZNP a major robotic firm. The company will not be building their own cars but instead adding driverless capabilities to existing cars.

Robot Taxi says “by providing a more convenient transportation option to non drivers and those who have limited access to public transport and taxis, we can improve their overall quality of life by removing barriers and bringing about the possibility of new, positive experiences with family, friends, and the community.”

To operate effectively a vehicle needs to understand its surroundings accurately and take actions quickly and safely. ZMP has developed a sophisticated recognition system that can take multiple inputs from a variety of laser and camera sensors. The Robot Taxi takes all of the input and integrates it to create a clear picture of its perimeter. It can recognise both static and non-static objects in real time including pedestrians, vehicles and other objects.

The field tests will not only have to overcome technological obstacles and safety concerns but will require changes in Japanese traffic laws. Officials in Fujisawa are rising to the challenge; “this time, the robot taxi experiment will be conducted  on actual city streets. I think this is quite amazing” said Yuji Kuroiwa, the governor of Kanagawa prefecture. Vice Minister Koizumi participated in a first-pitch ceremony at the baseball game between the Yokohama DeNA Baystars and the Yomiuri Giants after entering the field in Robot Taxi’s test vehicle.