[AutonomousVehicles] japan setting aside bandwidth for self driving vehicles

[Cornelius Butler]

Hi Everyone,
Japan is allocating specific bandwidth for self driving vehicles. Article
link and text is below.

Article Link:
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Japan-to-assign-bandwidth-for-Level-4-self-driving-vehicles

article Text:
Japan to assign bandwidth for Level 4 self-driving vehicles
Same frequencies as U.S. and Europe to be set aside as soon as fiscal 2026

MAYUMI HIROSAWA, Nikkei staff writer
December 4, 2023 04:42 JST

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.

Though Japan already designates wireless spectrum bandwidth for
self-driving systems, its use is limited to applications such as driver
assistance for avoiding collisions at short distances. Experts say more
bandwidth needs to be allocated for more precise autonomous driving.

The ministry is discussing allocating part of the 5.9 gigahertz band, now
used for broadcasting. It intends to spend 20.5 billion yen ($140 million)
to modify wireless transmission equipment so that the operations of
broadcasters are not impacted.

Plans call for this newly allocated bandwidth to be used in a test area in
Shizuoka prefecture as soon as fiscal 2024. Japan looks to set up lanes
just for self-driving vehicles in this area, which stretches more than 100
kilometers on the Shin-Tomei Expressway, part of a highway system
connecting Tokyo and Nagoya.

The bandwidth will be available on a self-driving lane to be created on the
Tohoku Expressway, which connects Tokyo and northern Japan, in fiscal 2025
or later.

Self-driving vehicles use various means of communication depending on the
distance of transmissions. Typically, onboard sensors detect conditions
near the auto, up to a distance of about 200 meters, while cellular phone
networks are used for distances of 1 km or more.

The newly allocated bandwidth will be used for distances between 200 meters
and around 1 km. Communications are expected to be more reliable than
cellphone networks.

Europe, the U.S. and China are ahead in adopting the 5.9 GHz band for
autonomous driving systems. The European Commission decided to assign the
band in stages. The U.S. announced in 2020 that it will allocate that band,
while China also has adopted it.

Level 4 autonomous vehicles are not expected to operate on roads in those
regions in substantial numbers for several years. In Japan, self-driving
vehicles that use the bandwidth likely will be mass-produced starting
around 2030.

The entire market for self-driving vehicles is estimated to reach up to
$400 billion in 2035, according to McKinsey & Co. For manufacturers of the
vehicles and their parts, product development will become more efficient if
the same bandwidth is used in different markets.

Japan is rushing to lay the groundwork for autonomous vehicles, thinking
they will go mainstream around 2040. In April, the government lifted a ban
on Level 4 automated driving on public roads. Pilot programs using
self-driving cars are expected to launch in about 50 locations nationally
around fiscal 2025.

The government is discussing rules regarding who would be liable for
traffic accidents involving autonomous vehicles. The private sector is also
progressing, with Honda Motor and General Motors joining forces to launch
driverless taxis in Japan in 2026.
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