ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Companies

Panasonic proposes next-gen transport with self-driving cars

Low-speed electric vehicles will take seniors shopping

A Panasonic mock-up of an automated car. The company has been testing self-driving tech in Japan for low-speed local transport applications.
A Panasonic mock-up of an automated car. The company has been testing self-driving tech in Japan for low-speed local transport applications.   © Reuters

OSAKA -- Panasonic aims to offer various services with autonomous electric cars, including ferrying elderly people in depopulated areas, teaming with startups to dive into next-generation transport services as consumers shift toward using vehicles rather than owning them.

The Japanese electronics company hopes to enter the realm known as "mobility as a service" with low-speed vehicles by 2030, drawing on its experience making batteries for U.S. electric-vehicle maker Tesla. It will independently develop a platform as a basis for vehicles that can carry passengers or cargo, and team up with electric-car startups to develop and produce body components.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more