TOKYO (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese autonomous driving startup Turing Drive has partnered with Japanese transportation company Xtran to deploy driverless vehicles in Okinawa supported by the Japan External Trade Organization's (JETRO) J-Bridge program.

Japan is grappling with a severe demographic crisis, characterized by a rapidly declining birthrate and an aging population. In 2025, the nation's population is projected to dip below 124 million, a significant drop from its peak of 128 million in 2010. 

Nearly 30% of the population is 65 or older, making Japan the world's oldest nation. This demographic shift has precipitated a critical labor shortage across various sectors, including public transportation. Rural areas, in particular, are struggling to maintain adequate bus and taxi driver availability to serve their aging residents.

According to a 2023 report by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, the number of bus drivers in Japan has dwindled by 10% over the past decade and over 60% of current drivers are over 50 years old. The taxi industry faces a similar predicament, with more than 80% of drivers aged 50 or older. 

Consequently, some rural towns face the stark reality of dwindling public transportation options, leaving elderly residents isolated and unable to access essential services. This escalating crisis has compelled Japan to explore innovative solutions, including autonomous driving technologies, to address the labor shortage and ensure sustainable mobility in its rural regions.

Turing Drive

Founded in 2018 by a team of transportation experts, Turing Drive has expanded its operations to six countries, including the United States, Japan, India, China, and Thailand. As a software company, Turing Drive specializes in developing autonomous driving software and hardware systems, collaborating with vehicle manufacturers to integrate these systems into their vehicles. 

Unlike companies like Waymo that focus on fully autonomous driving on open roads, Turing Drive concentrates on developing solutions for controlled environments. Their technology is already being deployed in various applications, including shuttle buses at Taiwanese amusement parks, golf carts, factory buses, and buses operating within the Taipei Port.

Hubert Chen (陳維隆), co-founder and business development lead at Turing Drive, has been a tireless advocate for the company, traveling extensively to attend trade shows and forums worldwide, including the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and SelectUSA, to identify potential partners and expand the company's global footprint. "While we actively pursue partnerships globally, the Japanese market remains our most crucial overseas market," Chen said. "Japan's automotive industry is a global leader, and Japanese business practices are renowned for their trustworthiness. I have never had any concerns about our Japanese partners betraying us. Currently, 70% of Turing Drive's revenue is generated from the Japanese market."

Teaming up on autonomous driving

Abe Noritaka, the founder of Iiga, an information systems company with a 30-year history, has secured contracts with leading Japanese telecommunications companies like NTT Communications and NTT East Japan. Leveraging this expertise, Abe established Xtran with the vision of revolutionizing Japan's transportation landscape. Headquartered in Okinawa, Xtran has been actively involved in various transportation projects across the island and nearby Miyakojima.

With the goal of implementing autonomous driving solutions in Okinawa, Abe discovered Turing Drive while exploring the Autoware Foundation, a leading open-source platform for autonomous driving software. Through a mutual connection, Abe contacted Turing Drive, and after a series of meetings, the two companies decided to collaborate on a proof-of-concept (POC) for autonomous driving in Miyakojima.

The Japanese government has strongly emphasized the development of autonomous driving technology. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, the government aims to achieve over 100 autonomous driving projects by 2027.

The collaboration between Turing Drive and Xtran has garnered support from JETRO. The successful POC has paved the way for further expansion, with Abe planning to partner with Turing Drive to extend their services to other Japanese cities, including Hiroshima and Tokushima.