An experimental demonstration of self-driving cars is being conducted along the Oirase Gorge in Towada, Aomori Pref. on October 21.
16:08 JST, November 13, 2024
TOWADA, Aomori – A pilot demonstration of self-driving cars was carried out on a stretch of highway along the Oirase Gorge in Towada, Aomori Prefecture from October 21 to 27, restricting the use of private cars along this road. to protect the environment and facilitate traffic.
The prefecture is conducting this experiment with a view to creating tourism resources and combating the persistent labor shortage.
The section of road used in the experiment covers approximately 7 kilometers from Ishigedo to Nenokuchi, within the approximately 10 kilometer stretch of National Highway Route 102 between Sobe intersection and Nenokuchi intersection, where passenger car restrictions were in effect .
In the experiment, three types of cars drive along three routes. They are accompanied by a guide for part of the route. The experiment was conducted at ‘level 2’, where the driver can take control of the car in an emergency.
Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita on Oct. 21 test-drove a small vehicle that uses a 3D map and sensors to estimate its position while driving. The car had a top speed of 19 kilometers per hour and could accommodate up to five people during test drives. “The vehicle drove extremely smoothly, allowing me to feel safe and enjoy the view,” said Miyashita. “We want to make progress toward implementing this technology.”
