Cruise to Bring Self-Driving Taxis to Tokyo by 2026

Can you imagine taking a driverless taxi ride through the bustling streets of Tokyo?

Cruise, the autonomous taxi manufacturer owned by GM and Honda, has big plans to expand its presence beyond the US. The company is aiming to introduce its self-driving taxis, called Origin, in Tokyo by 2026. This move will mark the first step of establishing an operating arm in Japan after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.

Cruise is gearing up to make a splash in Tokyo, as it plans to introduce its self-driving taxis, known as Origin, to the city by 2026. This will require the establishment of an operating arm in Japan, which Cruise aims to do next year once it obtains all the necessary regulatory approvals.

The general public in Tokyo can look forward to experiencing their first driverless taxi rides in 2026. However, the operating area will initially be confined to central Tokyo. It’s a bit disappointing that the companies haven’t provided more specific details about the specific areas within central Tokyo where the service will be available. Given the vast size of the city, this lack of information leaves some room for uncertainty.

Unlike Cruise’s current service areas, the self-driving taxis in Tokyo will be Cruise Origin vehicles. These vehicles have been specifically designed as self-driving taxis, with no steering wheel and seating for up to six people in two rows of face-to-face seating. The absence of a steering wheel is a clear indication that these vehicles are fully autonomous.

During the initial phase of the service, the number of Cruise Origin vehicles available will be limited to just a few dozen. While this may restrict the usefulness of the service in the beginning, Cruise has plans to expand its fleet to 500 cars in the future. Additionally, the company aims to extend the service beyond central Tokyo to cover other areas of the city, although a timeline for this expansion has not been provided.

Tokyo is a city that has long embraced technology to minimize human interaction, with its ubiquitous vending machines and self-service restaurants. Therefore, the introduction of self-driving taxis seems like a natural progression in the city’s technological advancements.

Currently, Cruise operates its robotaxi services in several cities in the US, including San Francisco, Phoenix, Houston, and the inner suburbs of Austin. It’s interesting to note that the service hours in all these cities are limited to late evenings and early mornings, effectively avoiding the busy morning and afternoon peak hours. Access to the Cruise app is also restricted to invitees in these cities, and the maximum number of passengers allowed per ride is three, with no provision for children under 12 or pets.

It remains to be seen whether the Tokyo service will have any time restrictions, accessibility limitations, or passenger restrictions imposed. These details will be crucial in determining the full scope and convenience of the self-driving taxi service in Tokyo.

• Cruise will set up an operating arm in Japan in the coming year
• Tokyo residents will be able to take their first driverless taxi rides in 2026
• The initial operating area will be limited to central Tokyo
• Cruise Origin vehicles will be used for the service
• The fleet will consist of dozens of vehicles initially, with plans to expand to 500 cars
• Tokyo already has a history of embracing technology to reduce human interaction
• Cruise currently operates in several US cities with limited service hours and passenger restrictions

Cruise’s plan to introduce self-driving taxis in Tokyo by 2026 is an exciting development in the city’s transportation landscape. With the establishment of an operating arm in Japan and the use of Cruise Origin vehicles, the company is poised to offer a unique and futuristic transportation experience. However, the initial operating area in central Tokyo and the limited number of vehicles may pose some challenges in terms of availability and convenience. Nevertheless, with Tokyo’s history of embracing technology, the introduction of self-driving taxis is an intriguing prospect. As we eagerly await the launch of this service, it remains to be seen how it will shape the future of transportation in Tokyo.