Featured Image Credit: Tokyo Lens/YouTube
Japan is known for its futuristic technological advancements, but this AI taxi might just be one of the most exciting yet.
Self-driving cars are very much a thing of the present, with companies like Tesla pushing the technology to its limits.
While there have been some horror stories in the news, studies have shown that automated vehicles are actually safer in most cases than their human-operated counterparts.
They do, of course, have their limitations though, and the price of entry for many people has proven to be prohibitive - but what if there was a simple taxi service that you could hop on and off to take you around your favorite city?
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One Tokyo-based company has aimed to change that though with AI-driven wooden 'taxis' that use cameras and LIDAR sensors to take people around the Japanese city.
The catch? Outside of being quite slow and only taking three people at a time, it's currently battling on the legal front as it falls in a difficult gray area of Japanese law.
Thanks to popular YouTube channel Tokyo Lens we've been able to take a closer look at this fascinating vehicle, and many have expressed why this could be the future of inter-city travel.
Inspired by the on-and-off nature of garbage trucks, the company's CEO explains that the invention is designed to allow people to take in their surroundings during the journey, as opposed to the more destination-focused nature of cars.
All you need to do to take part in the journey is hop on, as it's curved design allows for three concurrent spots - complete with a safety handrail for you to grab onto.
It's current issue is twofold though: Not only does it cost a lot of money for the company to run - tens of thousands of dollars for just a couple of weeks of activity - but it's also 'technically' illegal in its current state.
This is because any vehicles that aren't powered by humans require both a license plate and it's operator to hold a specific license - neither of which currently exist.
That hasn't stopped many in the video's comments from theorizing about the gadget's endless potential though. One theorizes that it would be perfect for "large botanical gardens, zoos, or other attractions," as it would allow you to take in the sights in a relaxing pre-determined path.
However, the most popular thought among many is its use for people with mobility issues.
"I just spent a week in London with a leg injury," explains one user, "I would totally use these! [...] Many people who are not wheelchair bound have difficulties walking!!!"
Another agrees, pointing out that "bring able to get around slowly and still be able to enjoy the scenery would be amazing!"
Some remain pessimistic about the inventions viability outside of Japan however, arguing that "a gizmo like this is probably going to be completely vandalized on the first day of deployment."
It's hard not to see the truth in that, but you'd hope that people wouldn't be so destructive to something that could give so much to those who need it.
