Driving Innovation Abroad: TuSimple Begins Testing Self-Driving Truck Technology in Japan

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TuSimple, a publicly traded company specializing in self-driving trucks, has announced its entrance into the Japanese market with regular test runs on the Tomei Expressway. This move indicates TuSimple's focus on expanding its Asia-focused business. Japan has recently amended its laws to allow Level 4 autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads, presenting a ripe marketplace for TuSimple. The country is facing a labor shortage due to its aging population, and autonomous vehicles can offer a solution to this issue.

Japan plans to launch a self-driving lane on sections of the New Tomei Expressway by 2024, equipped with sensors, cameras, and 5G networks. Commercial operation of Level 4 autonomous trucks is expected to begin in 2026. TuSimple sees self-driving technology as a promising solution for the driver shortage in Japan's logistics industry and aims to build partnerships with local companies and meet customer demand in the region.

While TuSimple positions itself as a U.S.-based company, it has subsidiaries in China, Hong Kong, and Japan. The company started its work in Japan in 2021, conducting safety validation and testing using a local Japanese OEM's truck. TuSimple did not provide specific details about its test runs in Japan, including the number of trucks involved, the stretch of highway for testing, or the OEM partner. The company recently underwent layoffs in the U.S. to preserve cash and is facing potential delisting from the Nasdaq for failing to file timely earnings reports.

Overall, TuSimple's entry into the Japanese market aligns with the country's efforts to embrace autonomous vehicle technology and address its labor shortage, offering opportunities for TuSimple's self-driving trucks.

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