SoftBank will begin Japanese trials next month of a service using satellite navigation data to power autonomous vehicles and machinery, with a nationwide roll-out anticipated for November. The service, called “Intelligent Mobility,” is being developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). SoftBank Group has shares in the self-driving units of Uber and General Motors.
SoftBank will begin Japanese trials next month of a service using satellite navigation data to power autonomous vehicles and machinery, with a nationwide roll-out anticipated for November. As part of the pilot, SoftBank will use data from the Michibiki satellite constellation, launched in November 2018, for its SB Drive autonomous bus tech, while construction firm Kajima will use the data for its site drones. SoftBank Group has shares in the self-driving units of Uber and General Motors.