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Autonomous vehicle maker Cruise, General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Honda (NYSE:HMC) plan to bring self-driving taxi service in Japan, starting in central Tokyo in early 2026.
The three companies plan to set up a joint venture for the service and begin initial testing next year.
Around 500 Origin vehicles, Cruise’s first ever robotaxi, will be manufactured by GM (GM) for the launch of the new JV at its Factory ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck plant in Michigan. The Cruise Origin was co-developed with GM (GM) and Honda (HMC).
The self-driving taxi service aims to help address a driver shortage in Japan, and offer a more accessible form of transportation, Cruise said in a statement.
“Providing this service in central Tokyo where the traffic environment is complex will be a great challenge, however, by working jointly with Cruise and GM (GM), Honda (HMC) will exert further efforts to make it a reality,” said Toshihiro Mibe, the Japanese automaker’s global CEO.
The executive also said Honda (HMC) will use Chevrolet Bolts in the run up to starting the service, before deploying the Origins, Reuters reported.