Nissan has announced that, in collaboration with Kobe City, it will begin a field test of an autonomous mobility service in the Nada Gogo area starting January 19, 2026. This initiative aims to address local transportation challenges and provide mobility solutions that enable everyone to travel freely.
The Nada Gogo area in Kobe is a renowned tourist destination, celebrated worldwide for its traditional sake brewing and rich history. Throughout the test, Nissan will leverage its autonomous driving technology in a NissanLeaf to offer an alternative travel experience for visitors touring sake breweries. The route will take passengers between Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum and Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Kobo (an approximately 20-minute loop with no stops), and will operate between 8:00am and 4:00pm.
Nissan will incorporate feedback from local residents and visitors to refine the service design. In 2026, Nissan plans to expand the service area and boarding points, introduce on-demand operations using Serena-based Level 2 autonomous vehicles and start paid operation in 2027. The company aims for commercial operation in the Nada Gogo area by 2030. Furthermore, Nissan envisions deploying autonomous vehicles in community public transportation, such as in new towns within Kobe City.
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