Self-Driving EV Bus Equipped With AI Avatar

May 25, 2026 | News On Japan

OSAKA - NTT West has unveiled an autonomous EV bus equipped with an AI avatar capable of answering passenger questions, as the company aims to help address Japan’s growing shortage of bus drivers.

The company recently partnered with a startup launched out of Osaka University and presented the self-driving EV bus to the media. The AI-powered avatar is designed to respond to passengers in place of a human driver.

Reporter Maiko Nakajima asked the avatar, "How fast does this bus travel?"

The AI avatar replied, "The maximum speed of this bus is 0 kilometers per hour. It is designed to operate at low speeds with safety as the highest priority."

As the shortage of bus drivers becomes increasingly severe across Japan, the government is aiming to introduce 10,000 autonomous buses and similar vehicles nationwide by fiscal 2030.

NTT West said it hopes to commercialize buses that passengers can ride safely and comfortably even without onboard staff.

Source: YOMIURI

Osaka’s Minami Rebuilt Into Tourist Hub

Osaka’s Minami district, now entering another period of major change with the planned opening of the Naniwasuji Line, the redevelopment of Midosuji and improvements around Nankai Namba Station, has transformed from an area once described as "scary" and "dirty" into one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations.

Crowds Join First Pull of 10-Ton Gion Festival Float

A 10-ton hoko float was pulled through central Kyoto on July 12 in a trial run ahead of the Yamahoko Junko procession during the Gion Festival's early parade.

Young Doctors Flock to Cosmetic Medicine

A growing number of young doctors in Japan are moving directly into cosmetic medicine after obtaining a medical license and completing their initial clinical training, raising concern that the trend may be worsening staff shortages in insurance-covered medical care.

Typhoon No. 9 Travel Disruptions Continue on Some Okinawa Routes

Transport disruption from Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) continued on July 12, with airlines warning that some flights serving Okinawa’s outlying islands could still face delays, cancellations or conditional operations even after the storm moved away from the prefecture.

JAXA Successfully Lands Reusable Rocket Test Vehicle

JAXA successfully landed a small experimental vehicle for a reusable rocket on July 11, marking a step toward technology that could increase the frequency of space launches while helping reduce costs.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Web3 NEWS

AI Tools Sweep Into Anime Production

Japan's anime industry, one of the country's leading cultural exports, is beginning to confront the arrival of artificial intelligence in production as studios grapple with labor shortages, rising output and deep concerns over copyright and the future of animators' jobs.

Mitsubishi Announces AI Robot Mass Production

Mitsubishi Motors and Highlanders, a startup founded from the University of Tokyo, announced on July 10 that they will jointly develop humanoid "physical AI" robots and move toward mass production as Japan faces growing labor shortages.

Best proxy server sites: Top proxy providers

There are many different proxy providers that operate large IP networks around the world, and before choosing one, you have to answer many questions. Where do these IPs come from?

Which RPC Providers Work Well for Blockchain Teams in Japan

Japan's crypto and blockchain scene has grown steadily over the past few years, and the wallets, exchanges, and dapps built here all lean on RPC nodes to talk to the chains they run on.

Joint Recommendations Issued to Grow AI Medical Device Industry

A council of 39 companies, including startups developing medical devices that use artificial intelligence, called for greater support to expand Japan's AI medical device industry, including subsidies for hospitals and financial assistance for overseas exports.

FxVerge レビュー｜2026年版・取引プラットフォーム完全ガイド

FxVerge レビューや利用者の FxVerge 口コミを先に調べてから口座を作るかどうか決める。ブローカーを選ぶとき、多くのトレーダーがこの手順を踏みます。

Next-Gen Slots and How Immersive Graphics Are Changing the Game

Slot screens no longer look like flat reels wearing shiny paint.

Humanoid AI Robot Demonstrates World-First Gesture Technology

A humanoid AI robot under development in Japan demonstrated what its developer described as a world-first gesture-recognition technology during a studio appearance, raising questions over whether Japan can regain ground in a field now led by the United States and China.

< 2 3 4 5 >