Japan's self-driving vehicles remain a forthcoming reality

In the bustling city of Tokyo, the IBM Tokyo Research Center stands tall, a towering symbol of artificial intelligence (AI) research. This vast hub recently welcomed a delegation led by Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens), who is currently in Tokyo, Japan.

The delegation's first stop was the IBM Tokyo Research Center, where they were introduced to the company's ambitious project: creating a real-time digital model of the road space. IBM's goal is to use this data to provide warnings about slippery roads, aquaplaning, and traffic jams to autonomous vehicles.

IBM Japan's research chief, Yoshikuhi Kawashima, discussed their work on creating a cloud that collects data from millions of vehicles. This cloud is designed to help autonomous vehicles navigate roads safely and prepare them for real-life dangerous situations, as demonstrated by a large transporter used for a simulated accident test.

The IBM Tokyo Research Center also showcased a self-driving suitcase, designed to guide blind people through crowds using voice control. A toy car racetrack was set up to demonstrate the capabilities of an autonomous toy car, capable of completing ten laps without getting stuck.

Rain simulation was conducted using water from a spray bottle to test the AI's ability to calculate changes in the person's appearance through a raindrop. This is a crucial aspect of ensuring the safety and efficiency of autonomous vehicles in various weather conditions.

Meanwhile, Christian Mecker, the president of Bosch Japan, shared that Bosch's challenges in Japan are similar to those in Germany. Bosch employs 6,200 people in Japan, mainly in brake production for both electric cars and combustion engines.

Japan aims to only allow hybrid and electric motors by 2035, with a focus on the widely used hybrid engine in Japan that produces electricity for an electric motor from gasoline. The infrastructure for running vehicles on E-Fuels, or climate-neutral fuels, is still in the testing phase in Japan.

The delegation also visited the Kanagawa province, where the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has a partnership with the Kanagawa Institute of Technology (KAIT). Mohanad El-Haji, a Karlsruhe entrepreneur, has been working closely with KAIT for ten years and now employs 22 people. His startup focuses on creating an AI model to help on-board computers in autonomous vehicles categorize various road traffic situations.

IBM is not alone in its pursuit of autonomous vehicle technology in Japan. However, there is no evidence in the search results of specific German companies currently active in Japan for the development of electric road traffic. The available information focuses on German companies’ activities in Germany or Europe, such as KEBA’s charging infrastructure solutions.

The visit by the German delegation underscores the growing importance of international collaboration in the development and implementation of autonomous vehicle technology. As the world moves towards a more sustainable and efficient future, these collaborations will play a crucial role in overcoming the challenges and realising the potential benefits of this exciting new technology.