Look, passengers: No hands! Japan's bullet train goes driverless

JR East hails test run results as it prepares for operator shortage

JR East crew in an automated E7 series bullet train. The train stopped within 8 cm of a pre-determined resting point in a recent test run. © Kyodo

EMI OKADA and SHINICHI HASHIMOTO, Nikkei staff writers

November 18, 2021 02:59 JST

TOKYO/NIIGATA, Japan -- After reaching a speed of 110 kph, the bullet train gradually decelerated, missing the targeted resting point by 3 inches. During the entire trip, the operator kept his hands on his lap, without touching a single lever.

The futuristic ride was part of East Japan Railway's public trial run of an automated bullet train held Wednesday, with reporters on board. The E7 series shinkansen traveled 5 km from Niigata Station to the Niigata Shinkansen Rolling Stock Center, controlled entirely by an automatic train operation (ATO) system.