NTT to Test Driverless Vehicle Technology with Toyota, Invest in US Startup

NTT, Japan's Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, has announced plans to collaborate with Toyota Motor and invest in a US startup to develop driverless vehicle technology.

Credit: Toyota of North Charlotte

The telecommunications firm aims to begin testing autonomous buses and taxis as early as 2025. NTT will also invest approximately 10 billion yen ($66.91 million) in May Mobility, a US startup specialising in self-driving systems. This move reflects the growing momentum behind self-driving technology in Japan.

While the Nikkei newspaper reported that NTT and Toyota would jointly develop vehicles, both companies have denied having any such plans. May Mobility has previously received investments from Japanese firms, including insurer Tokio Marine and a Toyota-linked venture capital unit.

NTT's increased involvement in autonomous driving technology follows Honda Motor's announcement in October that it intends to establish a joint venture with General Motors and its robo-taxi firm Cruise. Honda aims to launch a driverless ride service in Japan by early 2026. However, Cruise temporarily suspended its driverless vehicle operations in the United States after an accident prompted California regulators to order the removal of its autonomous cars from state roads.

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• NTT plans to test driverless vehicle technology with Toyota and invest in US startup May Mobility.

• The telecommunications firm aims to start testing autonomous buses and taxis by 2025.

• NTT will invest approximately 10 billion yen ($66.91 million) in May Mobility.

Source: REUTERS