Introduction
Do you think autonomous driving is still a long way off? Actually, it's already starting to become a common mode of transportation in the United States. This article discusses autonomous taxis (a subsidiary of Alphabet, Inc.).WaymoBased on my own experience, I will explain in an easy-to-understand way why this technology is said to be causing a major reversal in industry.
What kind of industrial reversal will autonomous driving bring?
In conclusion, the deciding factor in the success or failure of autonomous driving is the "amount of data."
In the United States, self-driving taxis are already in practical use and are commonplace in urban areas. When you actually ride in one, the driving is so natural that it feels almost like a human is driving, and there is hardly any sense of unfamiliarity.
What's particularly noteworthy is the AI's decision-making ability. For example, if a pedestrian blocks the path while turning right, it doesn't simply wait, but immediately changes to an alternative route. Moreover, this decision is made in an instant. This is due to its ability to derive the "optimal solution" based on a vast amount of data.
In other words, the essence of autonomous driving lies not in the "car" itself, but in "data and AI."
Why data influences competitiveness
The competitive advantages in the autonomous driving business can be summarized in the following three points:
-
Overwhelming amount of operational data
With over 250,000 ride data points accumulated weekly, the accuracy of the AI is improving daily. -
Real-time decision-making ability
It instantly analyzes traffic conditions and surrounding movements, enabling it to make decisions superior to those of a human. -
Software-driven strategy
By utilizing existing vehicles and focusing on AI development, we are achieving both speed and efficiency.
As a result, a virtuous cycle is created where the more data there is, the smarter the AI becomes, and the more users it attracts.
Challenges and Opportunities Faced by Japanese Companies
On the other hand, Japanese companies are lagging behind in this area. One reason for this is "differences in strategy."
While some overseas companies develop vehicles from scratch, successful companies tend to leverage existing vehicles and focus on software. This flexible strategy greatly influences the speed of practical implementation.
Furthermore, self-driving taxis are not merely a means of transportation; they also have the following social impacts:
-
Can operate even at night (solves labor shortage)
-
Less likely to cause trouble (lack of emotions)
-
Labor cost reduction
In other words, it could have an impact not only on the taxi industry, but also on a wide range of fields such as logistics, urban planning, and the labor market.
Summary
Self-driving taxis are already in practical use overseas.It's not about "future technology," but rather "an ongoing industrial revolution."
The deciding factor in victory or defeat is not the car's performance, but data and AI. The ability to adapt to this structural change will greatly influence the competitiveness of companies and countries.
In the coming era, "who possesses the most data" will be the key to determining business winners. It's crucial to understand this trend now.
