Mobileye is teaming with Willer, a Japanese transportation company, to launch an autonomous robotaxi service in Japan and other parts of Asia beginning in 2021.
The companies will collaborate on the testing and deployment of self-driving transportation offerings based on Mobileye’s automated vehicle technology. The goal is to develop a fleet of self-driving taxis and on-demand autonomous shuttles in Japan. Mobileye will supply the autonomous vehicles integrating a self-driving system and Willer will offer services adjusted to each region for regulatory framework and mobility services for fleet operation companies.
The fully self-driving ride-hailing and ride-sharing mobility services will then launch in 2023 and the companies will then explore similar services in Taiwan and other Southeast Asian markets.
Mobileye has been collaborating with cities, transportation agencies and other technology companies to develop and deploy self-driving technology. The Willer agreement extends existing mobility-as-a-service deals already in place including the Daegu Metropolitan City in South Korea to deploy robotaxis based on Mobileye’s self-driving system and a joint venture with Volkswagen and Champion Motors for an autonomous ride-hailing fleet in Israel.
The Mobileye and Willer collaboration will add a new transportation mode to the existing range of services such as highway buses, railways and car-sharing. Mobileye said adding self-driving vehicles, on-demand features and sharing services will help to address challenges such as traffic accidents, congestion and a shortage of drivers and obstacles resulting from Japan’s aging society.
