Masayoshi Son, the visionary leader of SoftBank, is known for his keen ability to spot technological shifts early on. With a track record of both successful investments and notable failures, Son is now setting his sights on self-driving cars as his next big bet.
Unlike traditional approaches to autonomous vehicles, Son is proposing a collaborative effort among global automakers to leverage artificial intelligence for advancing self-driving technology. By uniting competitors, he aims to address the challenges that have hindered progress in this field.
In exclusive meetings held in a tatami-mat-floored room atop a Tokyo skyscraper, Son has engaged automotive executives, including leaders from Honda, Nissan, and Uber, to discuss his innovative concept. His vision involves forming a coalition of auto companies from the US, Japan, and Europe to share resources, particularly valuable driving data essential for autonomous systems.
One of the key aspects of Son’s plan is to develop an AI-driven system that can enable vehicles to navigate diverse environments without relying on static high-definition maps. This system would utilize massive amounts of data to train vehicles to autonomously navigate through various road conditions, potentially revolutionizing the industry.
| Companies Involved: |
|---|
| SoftBank |
| Honda |
| Nissan |
| Uber |
