Sensible 4 Runs Driving Pilot in Japan with MUJI-Designed Driverless Shuttle

Autonomous shuttle bus GACHA, built by Finnish autonomous driving technology company Sensible 4 and designed by the Japanese lifestyle retailer MUJI, has started its first operations on public roads in Japan. GACHA is an electric, accessible shuttle bus that is suitable for last-mile transportation.

GACHA will operates a 1,2km route in Chiba for two weeks as a part of an urban development project and is open for the public to experience autonomous driving.

Sensible 4 is known for its self-driving software that enables driving in challenging weather conditions, like snowfall or fog. 

It has also just opened an office in Tokyo.

Harri Santamala, CEO of Sensible 4, says: “GACHA was built some years ago and it has been driving in various locations and in busy urban areas in Helsinki. GACHA is our vision of future transportation that is perfectly suited to public transportation use and now it’s visiting its home in Japan.”

He adds: “We see Japan as a strategic market where we can help with our autonomous software in not only public transport but logistics and industrial sites. We also are already working with multiple Japanese customers, so it is important that we have the team ready to support when needed.”

Sensible 4 has secured financing of 17 million euros, of which a major part is from Japanese investors.

The company develops SAE Level 4 full-stack autonomous driving software that turns any vehicle into self-driving.