Japan

On April 25, at the Auto China 2024 in Beijing, Pony.ai, Toyota China, and GAC Toyota announced that the registration of a tripartite joint venture is nearing completion, and that they plan to launch 1,000 bZ4X Robotaxis on the Chinese market for the first phase. After rolling off the production line, these Robotaxis will seamlessly gain access to the Pony.ai Robotaxi operation platform for large-scale fully unmanned mobility services in Chinese first-tier cities.

In addition to an R&D partnership for software and hardware for Robotaxis, Pony.ai and Toyota are working on the establishment of a supporting autonomous driving operation value chain covering Robotaxi maintenance, repair, charging, and cleaning to provide a stable transport capacity guarantee for urban Level 4 Robotaxi services.

The bZ4X Robotaxi co-developed by Pony.ai and Toyota was exhibited at the event and is slated to be equipped with the Pony.ai 7^th-generation autonomous passenger vehicle system solution. Targeting the commercialization of autonomous driving products, the two parties will empower the technology with high stability and high reliability for promoting Robotaxis in all urban domains.

From a Pony.ai press release

On April 25, at the Auto China 2024 in Beijing, Tencent and Toyota announced the establishment of a strategic partnership.

The two parties will combine Tencent’s superior capabilities, such as AI large models, cloud technology, and digital ecosystems, with Toyota’s mobility services, such as SDVs (software-defined vehicles), to create personalized and diversified mobility experience for each user.

From a Tencent press release

On April 29, Audi announced the opening of its first charging hub outside Europe, in Tokyo.

The charging hub offers four fast-charging points featuring CHAdeMO charging plugs of up to 150kW located in the Kioichō business district, where customers can spend their charging time in various ways thanks to the shopping facilities, offices, and nearby cafés.

EV drivers of any brand can use the fast-charging station, but in future, Premium Charging Alliance (PCA) members are expected to be able to reserve a charging point via the PCA app, avoiding waiting times.

The chargers place little demand on the local electrical grid as the battery recharges when there is little load on the electrical grid. Since the battery is direct current intermediate storage, no expensive infrastructure such as transformers is required, and Audi also powers its charging center with energy produced primarily by the photovoltaic system installed on the roof.

(Audi press release on April 29, 2024)