Five Japanese automakers are planning to invest their money in MONET – the self-driving consortium set-up by Toyota and Softbank. Isuzu, Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu and Mazda will each acquire approximately 2% of its shares.
Toyota and Softbank will each retain around 35% of the venture.
Junichi Miyakawa, President and CEO of MONET Technologies Inc., says: “To build a high-level MAAS platform for an autonomous driving society, it is essential to integrate a wide number of datasets, and these partnerships will further accelerate our progress in building the MAAS business that MONET is aiming for. MONET will utilize the data provided by each company and leverage their automotive industry insights and networks.”
He adds: “Together with our automotive partners we will works to realize and spread innovative service that can resolve Japan’s social mobility issues and create new value.”
The MONET consortium was established in October, 2018 and involves companies such as Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc., Suntory Holdings Limited, Philips Japan, Ltd., Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. and Yahoo Japan Corporation.
It plans to roll out just-in-time vehicle dispatch services for local public agencies and private companies throughout Japan.
