[September 2021] Summary of the latest news on Autonomous Driving, MaaS, and AI

In Japan, a self-driving transportation service based at a third roadside station has started. Currently, the operation mode equivalent to level 2 is adopted, but there is a movement to formulate legal requirements for the realization of level 4, and the impression is that efforts toward the social implementation of autonomous driving technology are steadily progressing. .

Overseas, it seems that the market is still booming, with new moves toward the practical application of self-driving taxis and the development of smart EVs (electric vehicles).

Let's look back at the 10 major news in September 2021 one by one.

Article table of contents

Based on the accident caused by the e-Palette in operation at the Olympic Village of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the article is structured to focus on human error in automated driving.

The accident is said to have occurred due to insufficient confirmation and cooperation by the operator, rather than a defect in the automated driving system. This is the so-called human error.

Autonomous driving demonstrations are constantly monitored and intervened so that we can respond quickly to defects, malfunctions, and unforeseen situations in the autonomous driving system, but a slight carelessness or misjudgment can lead to accidents and incidents. . Human error also exists in the maintenance of hardware and software.

After the level 4 service is put into practical use, it is likely that there will be an increase in the number of situations in which service providers perform on-site operation management. It seems that I have to

[Reference] For details, see "Thinking about the importance of 'human error countermeasures' from Toyota's self-driving car accident".

Considering the importance of ``human error countermeasures'' from Toyota's self-driving car accident https://t.co/aTDkI11pCd @jidountenlab #Toyota #Automatic Driving #ePalette #Human Error

— Autonomous Driving Lab (@jidouuntenlab) September 5, 2021

There are still a lot of "rumors" about the Apple Car. Recently, it seems that the media are reporting that they are looking for a tie-up with Toyota.

On the other hand, there are media reports that Apple has abandoned negotiations with OEMs and is proceeding with the selection of auto parts suppliers. The truth is already in the dark, with stories and speculations from the sources involved. The reports may go on and on until CEO Tim Cook makes an official announcement.

Does a partnership with an OEM or a Tier 1 supplier become essential as automobile manufacturing requires a high level of safety technology? Or will it proceed with the creation of a new system like Foxconn and Xiaomi, based on the premise of design that brings innovation to the structure and production of automobiles themselves?

It is a speculation, but in order to develop a smart EV worthy of the Apple brand, it seems that the industry is introducing innovative systems and services that will surprise the industry. In a fast-moving industry, this information needs to be hidden until the last minute. For this reason, it seems that they are sticking to secrecy, including negotiations.

These speculations are all signs of hope. Rising expectations will change the hurdles to higher ones, but I guess that's what Apple is all about by jumping over those hurdles.

[Reference] For details, see "Rumors of Apple's self-driving car, manufactured by Toyota".

Apple's self-driving car, rumors of "manufactured by Toyota" https://t.co/CYGqCM4q1s @jidountenlab # Apple # self-driving car # Toyota

— Autonomous Driving Lab (@jidouuntenlab) September 7, 2021

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tier IV, and Sompo Japan Insurance Co., Ltd. have shown a new move toward the practical application of automatic transport robots that are responsible for the last mile. It seems that the plan is to conduct a demonstration in Tokyo after November.

Roughly speaking, Kawasaki Heavy Industries develops the hardware side of the robot, and Tier IV develops the software side. Sompo Japan will formulate a demonstration plan and conduct risk assessments. It is a partnership that makes use of the specialized fields in which each company has high knowledge and technology.

We are developing a small autonomous driving robot, basically premised on walking on sidewalks, but it seems that the policy is to improve autonomous driving ability so that it can also run on some roads based on the actual environment. is.

Self-driving robots are entering the market one after another. It is expected that the demonstrations of each company will accelerate in the future, and we would like to pay attention to the efforts that look ahead to the next phase.

[Reference] For details, see "Challenging with a powerful lineup! Automatic transport robot, finally running on the roadside in Tokyo".

Challenge with a powerful lineup! Automatic transport robot finally runs "roadside" in Tokyo https://t.co/9L4B5DPUCl @jidountenlab #Automatic delivery robot #Kawasaki heavy industry #Tier four

— Autonomous Driving Lab (@jidouuntenlab) September 9, 2021

A summary of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's 2022 budget request has recently been released. Autonomous driving-related demand is increasing across the board, and as a noteworthy business, "development of legal requirements for autonomous driving (level 4)" is listed as a new business.

We are requesting a budget of 200 million yen for the formulation of the Level 4 law, and we will investigate communication between automated driving vehicles and other traffic, the scope of responsibility of the system, and the way the system makes decisions. I'm doing it.

In Germany, the federal parliament passed a bill to revise the Road Traffic Law to enable level 4, but it is expected that full-scale discussions will progress in Japan in 2022.

Although the implementation of autonomous driving services is beginning to progress in Japan, basically there is no choice but to operate in a state of level 2 on public roads. It seems that there are many areas that are ready to introduce it, but in order to smoothly proceed from level 2 service demonstration to level 4 introduction, essential level 4 can be introduced at any stage. It is necessary to present a clear roadmap on the regulatory side at an early stage.

It is important to pay attention to whether the new Road Traffic Act and the revised draft of the Road Transport Vehicle Act will be finalized during FY2022.

[Reference] For details, see "Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism budgets 200 million yen to formulate legal requirements for 'autonomous driving level 4'".

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism budgets 200 million yen to formulate legal requirements for "Automatic Driving Level 4" https://t.co/Yxy7pP7KOQ @jidountenlab # Automatic driving # Level 4 # Budget # Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

— Autonomous Driving Lab (@jidouuntenlab) September 10, 2021

Xiaomi, a major Chinese smartphone company, has announced the establishment of a business company "Xiaomi EV" that will handle the EV business. It is a large-scale project with capital of 10 billion yuan (approximately 170 billion yen).

In March 2021, we announced that we would enter the smart EV field, and since then we have been making serious efforts such as acquiring DeepMotion, a Chinese startup that is engaged in the development of autonomous driving. It looks like a stance.

Apple in the United States and Foxconn in Taiwan have also entered the business, and there is no doubt that they will press for changes from the manufacturing process in the automobile industry. In addition, since such a move may stimulate other companies in the same industry and attract new entries, future developments should be watched closely.

[Reference] For details, see "Xiaomi Car and Apple Car, who will win? Chinese smartphone giant announces entry into self-driving EV market".

Xiaomi Car vs Apple Car, Who Wins? Chinese smartphone giant announces entry into self-driving EV market https://t.co/gnVHEGcOi1 @jidountenlab #Xiaomi #Automatic driving #EV

— Autonomous Driving Lab (@jidouuntenlab) September 13, 2021

According to the patent analysis report released by Patent Integration, the number of patent applications related to autonomous driving in Japan in 2019 was 1023, with 234 for Toyota.

The number of patent applications in the last three years (2019-2021) is 267 for Toyota, 121 for Honda Motor, 73 for Denso, 20 for Mitsubishi Electric, and 16 for Hitachi. I can see it.

Looking at the transition in the number of patent applications, it is also characterized by a large increase from around 2014, which is perfectly linked to the time when companies began to focus on the development of autonomous driving.

There is still a lot of room for growth, and the creation of various technologies and ideas is likely to continue.

[Reference] For more information, see "Toyota Dominant! Number of patent applications for autonomous driving: 234 in Japan in 2019".

Toyota Runs Alone! Number of patent applications for automatic driving, 234 in Japan in 2019 https://t.co/zxyK5vXLBc @jidountenlab #Toyota #automatic driving #patent

— Autonomous Driving Lab (@jidouuntenlab) September 14, 2021

British IDTechEx recently published a research report titled "Autonomous Driving Vehicles, Robotaxis and Sensors 2022-2042". In this, it seems that he also refers to the traffic situation in the 2050s when automated driving technology will mature.

Autonomous driving safety will reach or surpass the level of manual driving safety by 2024, fundamentally changing the way society moves in the next 10-20 years, and 100 years of the automotive sector It is said to cause great disruption to the previous business model.

In the 2050s, the average number of accidents caused by automated driving will be less than one per year, and manual driving by humans will become the most dangerous factor, so many countries will ban human driving in principle. there is It's about 30 years into the future.

In the 30 years from 1990 to 2020, social changes that were unthinkable at the time, such as the spread of the Internet, mobile phones, and smartphones, are occurring. With AI (artificial intelligence) progressing rapidly, it is almost certain that the next 30 years will bring innovations beyond imagination.

The realization of Level 5 is a premise, but it seems that the possibility that manual driving will be regulated is not something that can be denied.

[Reference] For details, see "British research company predicts 'manual driving' will be banned in the 2050s, due to improvement in automated driving technology".

British research company predicts that "manual driving" will be prohibited in the 2050s, with the improvement of automatic driving technology https://t.co/4uwCc6kwsA @jidountenlab # manual driving # automatic driving # prohibited

— Autonomous Driving Lab (@jidouuntenlab) September 16, 2021

Mobileye announced self-driving rideshare vehicles that it plans to introduce in Tel Aviv, Israel and Munich, Germany from 2022. The service will likely be available through apps from mobility service providers SIXT and Intel-owned Moovit.

In Germany, it is expected that social implementation of Level 4, which realizes unmanned driving, will become possible due to the revision of the Road Traffic Law. It is said to move to commercial deployment.

In the development of self-driving taxis, Google's Waymo and China's Baidu are leading the way at the moment, but Intel is emerging here. While Waymo and Baidu mainly develop their services in their own countries, Mobileye is making major moves toward global expansion, including in Japan.

While attracting attention as the first European candidate, there are great expectations for future development.

[Reference] For details, see "Self-driving taxi, 'Europe's first' will be Mobileye-rich Deployed from 2022".

Self-driving taxi, "Europe's first" is Mobileye rich Deployed from 2022 https://t.co/UfB7QKLuzb @jidountenlab # Self-driving taxi #Mobileye #Europe

— Autonomous Driving Lab (@jidouuntenlab) September 18, 2021

Toyota's payment app "TOYOTA Wallet" seems to be evolving. It is on its way to becoming a super app as a payment platform, making it possible to use other apps and sites via the same app.

TOYOTA Wallet was implemented in November 2019 as part of the company's connected strategy. With the goals of "expansion of payment and related services," "strengthening contact points with customers through payment services," and "building a foundation for a mobility society in line with the development of MaaS," we aim to provide convenience by providing everyday payment services, including those related to mobility. We are trying to improve

In addition to improving the convenience of the app itself, the expansion of the network in the payment field is expected to contribute to the future development of MaaS, which connects various goods and services. I would like to pay attention to future developments.

[Reference] For details, see "Payment app 'TOYOTA Wallet' has become a super app! "Osaka Osho" is the first service"See.

The payment app "TOYOTA Wallet" has become a super app! "Osaka Osho" is the first service https://t.co/qkOjWt4Q5x @jidountenlab #Toyota #Super App #Osaka Osho

— Autonomous Driving Lab (@jidouuntenlab) September 23, 2021

A self-driving service based at the road station "Akaki Kogen" in Iinan Town, Shimane Prefecture has started. As a roadside station, it is the third roadside station after ``Kamikoani'' in Kamikoani Village, Kitaakita-gun, Akita Prefecture, and ``Okueigenji Keiryu no Sato'' in Tadehata-cho, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture. This is the 4th implementation, including in Miyama City, Fukuoka Prefecture, as an autonomous driving service based at stations.

It is a low-speed mobility vehicle with a capacity of 6 people (4 passengers), which is a modified Yamaha Motor cart.

In this project, demonstrations are being conducted at 18 locations nationwide, and it is likely that there will be more cases of service launches in the future. It has the advantage of being easy to implement in society because it has relatively little traffic and runs on a fixed route with low-speed mobility.

Currently, level 2 driving on public roads is a premise, but it seems that it will be possible to smoothly transition to unmanned driving by accumulating experience and fostering social acceptance before legislation is enacted.

[Reference] For details, see "Third location in Japan! Michi-no-Eki x Self-Driving Transportation Service to Start in Shimane Prefecture".

The third place in Japan! Roadside Station x Autonomous Driving Service to Start in Shimane Prefecture https://t.co/jZwTybllQF @jidountenlab # Road Station # Autonomous Driving # Shimane Prefecture

— Autonomous Driving Lab (@jidouuntenlab) September 24, 2021

Automated driving services in Japan are steadily bearing fruit and beginning to bloom. We are currently in the stage of continuing demonstrations at Levels 2 and 3 and accumulating experience points so that we can smoothly transition to Level 4 under the newly revised law.

Overseas, Germany, which will lead the full-scale implementation of Level 4, is likely to serve as a model for the future. How will autonomous driving services be implemented and spread in a way that is different from the social implementation in the United States and China? In addition, in response to such an environment improvement, the movement of development companies that are planning to advance into Germany is also worth paying attention to.