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. Japan’s newly launched constellation of Michibiki satellites has been offering high-precision location data since last November, and SoftBank’s service will be an early attempt at building a commercial business with it. 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. 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.