Politics · Japan · 1 day ago
Japan considers standard approval for driverless cars without controls
Japan’s transport ministry is considering standard approval for driverless cars without steering wheels or brake pedals.
The plan covers Level 4 and Level 5 vehicles, which can drive themselves under specific conditions or fully autonomously.
Until now, these vehicles have been approved individually for safety.
The ministry plans to revise vehicle safety standards and apply the new approach from December.
It says the change could support mass production and autonomous taxi services.
A ministry vehicle safety panel is due to meet on November 4 as the plan is considered.
Japan’s transport ministry is considering a standard approval process for driverless cars without steering wheels or brake pedals.
The proposed rules would cover Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles.
The ministry plans to apply revised vehicle safety standards from December.
The change would replace individual safety approvals for these vehicles.
The ministry aims to support mass production as autonomous taxis spread.
- Who
- Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
- What
- It is considering standard approval for driverless cars without steering wheels or brake pedals.
- When
- The ministry plans to apply revised standards from December.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- To support mass production, with the spread of autonomous taxis in view.
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The ministry’s vehicle safety measures panel is scheduled to discuss the proposal.
The ministry plans to begin applying the revised standards.
- Approval scope
- Cars without steering wheels or brake pedals
- Automation levels
- Level 4 and Level 5
- Previous process
- Individual safety approvals
- Planned start
- December
- Relevant body
- Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism