Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 1 day ago
Japanese lawmakers test hands-free automated driving on public roads
A group of lawmakers from Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party tested an advanced driver-assistance vehicle on public roads in Tokyo on Nov.
2.
The car used six cameras and AI to control acceleration, lane changes and stopping.
It was described as Level 2++, a system that allows hands-free driving in some settings, including urban streets.
Former digital minister Takuya Hirai and other lawmakers rode for about 30 minutes, starting and ending at the party headquarters in Nagatacho.
Hirai said the ride was comfortable and that the car handled difficult roads without human intervention.
The party’s AI and Digital Society Promotion Headquarters held the event to examine challenges to putting automated driving into use.
The lawmakers aim to reflect what they learn in related policies.
Japanese lawmakers took a hands-free automated-driving vehicle on public roads on November 2.
The vehicle used Level 2++ driver assistance, which allows hands-free driving in urban areas and elsewhere.
Artificial intelligence used images from six cameras mounted on the vehicle to control acceleration, lane changes and stopping.
The lawmakers’ test was intended to assess challenges to putting automated-driving technology into practical use and inform related policies.
Former Digital Minister Takuya Hirai said the ride was comfortable and required no human intervention, even on difficult roads.
- Who
- Members of the Liberal Democratic Party’s AI and Digital Society Promotion Headquarters, including former Digital Ministers Takuya Hirai and Masaaki Taira.
- What
- They tested a Level 2++ automated-driving vehicle on public roads.
- When
- November 2. The article was published on November 3, 2026.
- Where
- The vehicle departed from and returned to the party headquarters in Nagatacho, Tokyo.
- Why
- The lawmakers aimed to assess challenges to putting automated-driving technology into practical use and reflect them in related policies.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Liberal Democratic Party’s AI and Digital Society Promotion Headquarters held an automated-driving test event.
Hirai and other lawmakers rode the vehicle for about 30 minutes on public roads from the party headquarters in Nagatacho.
Hirai told reporters that the ride was comfortable and there was no human intervention, even on difficult roads.
- Vehicle type
- Level 2++ automated-driving vehicle
- Cameras
- Six cameras mounted on the vehicle’s roof
- Test duration
- About 30 minutes
- Route
- Public roads, departing from and returning to the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Nagatacho, Tokyo
- Event date
- November 2
What people are saying
Even on difficult roads, there was no human intervention, and the ride was comfortable.