TOKYO -- Japan intends to set aside exclusive bandwidth for vehicles that can operate almost fully autonomously as early as fiscal 2026, hoping that using the same frequencies as the U.S. and Europe will promote development of self-driving vehicles and related parts, Nikkei has learned.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications sees the bandwidth being used by Level 4 autonomous vehicles. They could exchange information directly with other vehicles and equipment on the road, letting them change lanes, merge, drive in convoys and take other actions without human involvement. Such information would reduce the risk of collisions if the autos supplement information from their own sensors and cameras.
