Toyota Looks to Self-driving Convenience Stores

The automobile manufacturer partners with Starbucks and 7-Eleven Japan to bring mobile cafes and c-stores to Japan.

June 15, 2018

TOKYO – Japan’s convenience stores may come directly to residents, as Toyota Motor has joined with 7-Eleven Japan to collaborate on mobile stores, Nikkei Asian Review reports. The automobile maker also has teamed up with Starbucks for mobile cafes and Yamato Holdings and Toyota Industries for package delivery.

The mobile stores will use an electric, automated vehicle, part of Toyota’s e-Palette system, and either drive to a specific location or allow customers to stop the vehicle along a predetermined route. Toyota previously revealed a trio of concept vehicles for the mobile stores.

The auto company will start testing soon. Toyota has asked Amazon.com, Uber Technologies, Pizza Hut, Mazda Motor (Japan) and Didi Chuxing (China) to be part of its e-Palette alliance. Toyota will run pilot programs of its self-driving technology during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Meanwhile, Cargo aims to bring convenience stores directly to customers through ride-hailing services like Uber. Cargo recently partnered with Grab in Southeast Asia, to offer its snacks to Grab riders, according to Pymnts.com.

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