What Japan actually needs to do is roll out robotaxis to the countryside. If I had a few Oku yen I'd see about getting a trial here in western Japan. There are a ton of usecases for taxis to serve the remoter places as the inhabitants there age (and the existing taxi drivers do too)
I can see that, for sure. Perhaps also a sense that the premium version of this service, like others (perhaps including writing), is the one that has a real-life human being involved in it.
It's interesting to see Japan entering the autonomous vehicle market now, when they held the upper hand in manufacturing through the 80s and 90s. So much so that the Tokyo cityscape inspired the aesthetic for the 80s sci-fi of films like Blade Runner. Maybe Robotaxis will evolve into flying cars!
Btw the YouTube video clip of the robot besting Usain Bolt's 100m world record had me initially amazed but then unintentionally laughing at the sight of the robot falling on the bend and being stretchered off! I would guess the brains behind these bots are a long way off ironing out the dexterity problems :) and lack the agility to corner for a few more years!
What Japan actually needs to do is roll out robotaxis to the countryside. If I had a few Oku yen I'd see about getting a trial here in western Japan. There are a ton of usecases for taxis to serve the remoter places as the inhabitants there age (and the existing taxi drivers do too)
I agree - Mark at the Real Gaijin substack is hoping for this, I think.
I get the reasons why, but I'll be sad to see the classic taxis disappear. I just love the aesthetic of them
Same here - love the white lace!
I predict there will be retro taxis as a tourist gimmick because I suspect a lot of people like them.
I can see that, for sure. Perhaps also a sense that the premium version of this service, like others (perhaps including writing), is the one that has a real-life human being involved in it.
It's interesting to see Japan entering the autonomous vehicle market now, when they held the upper hand in manufacturing through the 80s and 90s. So much so that the Tokyo cityscape inspired the aesthetic for the 80s sci-fi of films like Blade Runner. Maybe Robotaxis will evolve into flying cars!
Btw the YouTube video clip of the robot besting Usain Bolt's 100m world record had me initially amazed but then unintentionally laughing at the sight of the robot falling on the bend and being stretchered off! I would guess the brains behind these bots are a long way off ironing out the dexterity problems :) and lack the agility to corner for a few more years!
Ha! I love the way they all smack into that blue gym-mat...