Toyota Motor Corp. partnered with Seven-Eleven Japan Co. Ltd., a unit of convenience store operator Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd., to develop self-driving unmanned stores, the Nikkei Asian Review reported June 9.
The Japanese carmaker reportedly plans to create the mobile shops through e-Palette, a concept unveiled by Toyota in January that involves a system of autonomous vehicles designed to perform specific tasks.
Under the initiative, Toyota electric vehicles fitted with e-Palette will be loaded with Seven-Eleven products and drive itself to customers who need to make purchases, the report said.
The two companies previously teamed up on a joint project that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Seven-Eleven Japan's store distribution and operation.
Aside from Seven-Eleven, the auto manufacturer reportedly is looking into a collaboration with logistics firm Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd. that will use its driverless vehicles for short-haul and door-to-door deliveries and is assessing when field tests may be conducted.
In addition, Toyota plans to partner with Starbucks Corp. to roll out a mobile café, and with its equipment-making affiliate, Toyota Industries Corp., for a package delivery service that will use unmanned mobile lockers, according to the Nikkei.
Toyota reportedly also aims to offer safety controls, insurance, payments and maintenance through e-Palette, which lists Amazon.com Inc., Chinese booking firm Didi Chuxing Technology Co. Ltd., Mazda Motor Corp., ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Inc. and Yum! Brands Inc.'s Pizza Hut as launch partners.
