Honda to debut Japan's first 'eyes-off' self-driving car next year
Honda Motor will release a car next summer that can pilot itself with a driver's hands off the wheel and eyes off the road -- a first for a Japanese automaker.
Automotive
Automotive
Will your next car be made from paper and plastic?
The race to develop new materials for cars is heating up among chemical and paper producers in Japan, as automakers look for ways to make their products more fuel efficient and eco-friendly.
Nissan-Renault to launch new company for next-gen tech
The automaker alliance of Nissan Motor, Renault and Mitsubishi Motors are in talks to set up a new company to jointly develop technologies for next-generation vehicles, such as artificial intelligence and electric propulsion.
Yamato Transport rolls out driver-friendly EVs for parcel delivery in Tokyo area
Yamato Transport Co. unveiled on Tuesday what it says is a greener, compact, driver-friendly electric truck that may offer hope for coping with the acute labor shortage in Japan’s door-to-door parcel delivery industry.
Toyota cars' real-time wiper data to help improve rain forecasts
Toyota Motor Corp. and weather information provider Weathernews Inc. have started tests to improve the accuracy of rain forecasts by using real-time data from networked cars’ windshield wipers.
Japan speeds adoption of car safety devices for aging drivers
Japan plans to offer subsidies to older drivers who install safety devices such as automatic brakes in their vehicles as the country combats the rising number of accidents among senior drivers.
Mazda set to receive superstrong pistons for new engine
A Mazda Motor supplier has begun mass production of pistons for a new engine that the automaker positions as a new signature feature.
Nobel winner for blue LEDs raises efficiency in electric vehicles
By SHUNSUKE KIMURA/ Staff Writer
Nobel laureate Hiroshi Amano holds an inverter made of gallium nitride for use in electric cars. (Masaki Yamamoto)
An electric car with enhanced energy efficiency developed by a Nagoya University team led by a Nobel laureate will make its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show starting Oct. 24.
Tokyo Motor Show embraces drone races and flying cars
The Tokyo Motor Show kicks off on Thursday with a new format meant to make the traditional vehicle showcase into an expo that holds drone races, shows off a flying car and presents a future in which commuters move seamlessly between the road and sky.
Itochu-backed company to install solar-powered EV chargers at supermarkets
A project to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure at retail stores, such as supermarkets, to is set to get underway.