Japan has begun operating its first free and self-driving bus in Sakai, Ibaraki Prefecture on November 26, Asia News Network reported.
Sakai bought the vehicles, which can accommodate 11 people, and outsourced the operation management to a subsidiary of telecom giant SoftBank Corp., according to the report.
The bus can run at a 18 kilometres per hour on a 5-kilometre round trip through the center of the town. It can also avoid obstacles through sensors.
There is a drier and security personnel onboard to check the bus’ surroundings before departing from bus stops or when moving through traffic jams. As of now, the bus makes four round-trips.
“It’s like a vehicle of the future, and I hope it will be a popular topic of conversation in town,” Sakai Mayor Masahiro Hashimoto said during the inauguration of the bus.
