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Nissan Teams Up With UK AI Startup

TOKYO, Dec 10 (News On Japan) - Nissan has announced that it will work with a British AI startup to develop a hands-free autonomous driving system, with plans to roll out AI-equipped vehicles globally.

The technology allows hands-free driving even on city streets. The trial vehicle, which uses AI developed by Wayve, is equipped with cameras and sensors that enable the system to make decisions without requiring the creation of 3D maps in advance.

Wayve CEO Alex Kendall said the company’s technology can operate “even in places it has never been before” and can be introduced into vehicles at relatively low cost.

The two companies signed a cooperation agreement on December 10th, confirming plans to sell mass-produced AI-equipped vehicles worldwide. In Japan, Nissan intends to introduce the technology in select models during fiscal 2027.

Competition over autonomous driving is intensifying. In Tokyo, a Google-affiliated self-driving development company has begun test drives to create 3D maps of the city. The question for the industry is whether to invest heavily in building detailed maps or to focus on improving a vehicle’s ability to handle diverse environments. The differing approaches to AI are poised to reshape the competitive landscape.

Source: TBS

Kyoto Raises Lodging Tax as Peak Travel Season Begins

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Australian Girl, 8, Dies After Snowmobile Overturns in Hakuba

An eight-year-old Australian girl died after a snowmobile overturned in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, at around 11 a.m. on February 28th, with authorities investigating the cause of the accident.

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