Two Japanese businesses are combining resources along with global consulting services colossus Accenture in an effort to develop an algorithm aimed at transforming driver safety.

Experts have suggested that Canada looks set to join the US, Europe and Japan in the race to develop, deliver and deploy driverless technology. The claim was made following the announcement by Canadian automotive parts firm Magna International that they have developed its own autonomous technology.

China has been projected to lead the global adoption of 5G technology by 2023, according to research compiled by CCS Insight. CCS Insight have claimed that the country's booming market will ensure and facilitate that 5G is quicker out of the starting blocks than any other previous mobile technology.

China has relaunched its fleet of high-speed bullet trains after capping speeds in 2011 following two tragic crashes that left 40 people dead. The top speed of the Fuxing or "rejuvenation" trains was capped at 300km/h after the accidents, but will now be increased to top speeds of up to 350km/h.

Chinese AI firm SenseTime have opened an autonomous driving test course in Japan as part of its efforts to facilitate and support the development of multiple smart-driving technologies by conducting a series of road tests.

A Chinese bicycle-sharing start-up has formally announced that it plans to expand its business into Japan. Beijing Mobike Technology has enjoyed incredible success since its inception - and its disclosure that it has set-up a subsidiary in the Japanese city of Fukuoka has cemented its status as one of the fastest-growing start-up companies in the world.

Ericsson, PS Solutions Corp. (affiliated with SoftBank Group Corp.), and CKD Corporation, a supplier of actuation products, are collaborating on an update to "e-kakashi", a platform which applies artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into agricultural processes. First introduced by PS Solutions in 2015, the second-generation "e-kakashi" platform will launch in March 2018.

Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Ajit Pai, has outlined the blueprint which he believes will help accelerate the development and subsequent deployment of 5G networks in the US.

The focus on self-driving technology, electrification and autonomy continues to accelerate and that was evidenced further by the investment in Silicon Valley based start-up NAUTO, by General Motors and SoftBank Group.

Hitachi has envisioned how train stations of the future could transform passenger experience with the concept of deploying robots enabled by Artificial Intelligence. The robots would guide passengers to their train and offer real-time information on departures and arrivals. Hitachi unveiled the concept in the UK following its trial elsewhere across the globe.

Japanese car manufacturing colossus Honda has centered its long-term strategy on the development of autonomous vehicles and electric cars - with the carmaker announcing its intentions to deploy autonomous cars in major cities by 2025. Honda Motor Co made a series of disclosures during a press briefing in which it outlined in detail its mid-term 'Vision 2030' strategy.

The government of Japan has started to draw up its 6G strategy and to set up a panel which will be dedicated to the technology.

Japan launched its third geo-positioning satellite into space on August 19, bringing the country closer to its goal of implementing a global positioning system (GPS) like the United States, to provide information for auto-piloting and also national security purposes.

Japan will be relying on robots to teach English to children. In fact, the Japanese government has decided to turn to technologies to try to interest students in foreign languages ​​in an archipelago not so polyglot.

Japan’s Seven Bank has recently partnered with NEC to introduce ATMs that implement facial recognition into their systems, incorporating biometric authentication along with a QR code scanner. This new system would not only allow banks to identify its customers, but also allow people to open bank accounts on the spot.

Japan’s smart cities market is set to experience remarkable growth, with projections indicating a surge from USD 63.15 billion in 2024 to USD 216.99 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth (CAGR) rate of 14.7% during the 2025 to 2033 forecast period, according to research and consulting firm Astute Analytica.

A female Japanese astronaut is heading a new Space Colony Research center in Tokyo, as part of an effort to find out if the human species can live in space. Chiaki Mukai is utilizing cutting-edge technology in a bid to find out the answer to the age old question.

Japanese automakers have looked beyond the industry trend to develop self-driving cars and instead are focusing their attentions on developing robots in an effort to keep Japan's elderly population on the move. The country's population is ageing faster than the rest of the world and its birthrate continues to decrease. Toyota Motor Corp has recognized the potential in becoming a mass producer of robots in order to alleviate and help Japan's elderly citizens.

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan is showcasing revolutionary brain-to-vehicle technology (B2V) at CES 2018 in Las Vegas.

Japanese technology and IT colossus NEC Corporation has announced it will build a 'smart city infrastructure' platform aimed at integrating a range of data sources in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. The innovative project is part of the government's initiative to make its capital a 'smart city' by enhancing connectivity, and utilizing data that can improve the services it provides for its citizens.