In Japan, this driverless shuttle bus is helping the elderly in rural communities.
The self-driving buses are being trialled in remote places like Nishikata, where the population is decreasing, public transport options are limited and taxis can be difficult to find, especially for senior residents. If this month's trial is decided to be successful -- apt timing for the Nishikata annual rice harvest -- then vehicles like the six-seater Robot Shuttle could become the norm by 2020 in similar rural areas. The Japanese government would transform existing highway rest stops into hubs where older people could catch a ride to shopping, medical and banking services.
The driverless shuttle bus trial is an example of how autonomous driving technology can benefit large cities and remote rural locations.
Seniors-Shuttling Autonomous Cars
This Rural Driverless Shuttle Bus Trial Transports the Elderly
Trend Themes
1. Rural-autonomous-transportation - The driverless shuttle bus trial shows an opportunity for autonomous transportation to benefit rural communities.
2. Eldercare-autonomous-services - The self-driving buses focus on providing services for the elderly in remote areas, pointing to an opportunity for autonomous eldercare services.
3. Highway-rest-stop-transformation - The Japanese government plan to transform highway rest stops into service hubs for senior citizens demonstrates an opportunity to transform underutilized roadside facilities.
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - The self-driving shuttle buses exemplify the potential for autonomous driving technology to revolutionize transportation services for rural areas.
2. Eldercare - The focus on elderly care services in the rural community highlights the potential for autonomous technology to disrupt the elderly care industry.
3. Roadside Services - The transformation of highway rest stops into hubs for senior citizen services points to an opportunity to innovate and disrupt the roadside services industry.