The US-based, Chinese start-up TuSimple for autonomous truck transport starts regular test drives on the highway in Japan. A little expansion story.
recently announced Japanto increase autonomous traffic on the road. This is especially true for the Automation of the trucks. The tests take place on the Tomei Expressway which connects Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. TuSimple apparently wants to expand into the island kingdom.
testing in the United States
TuSimple announced in December that it was divesting its China-based business after moving to the United States due to ties to China exams was exposed. However, TuSimple revised its plans in May, saying it would continue operations in the region.
Japan represents a promising market for TuSimple as the country opens up for testing of autonomous vehicles. The japanese government has recently changed a law that restricts the operation of Level 4 autonomous vehicles allowed on public roads. This should help alleviate the chronic labor shortage caused by Japan’s aging population.
Earlier this year, it was also announced that Japan would have one by 2024 self-propelled track plans to introduce on certain sections of the new Tomei Expressway, which runs parallel to the Tomei Expressway, and to enable commercial operation of autonomous trucks by 2026. The lane will be equipped with sensors and cameras to monitor road conditions, as well as 5G networks.
TuSimple has been testing its technology in Japan since this year. However, no details were given about it. On the other hand, the reduction in business activity in the USA seems to be increasing. A number of employees were made redundant. These layoffs come a few weeks after TuSimple’s agreement to create trucks specifically designed for autonomous articulated lorries in partnership with Navistar to develop had failed. Last but not least, this also endangers the listing on the Nasdaq.