• by Chuck Martin , February 20, 2018

Sony plans to launch a ride-hailing service using artificial intelligence to manage demand.

The service will include six Japanese taxi companies, with 10,000 vehicles, and use Sony Payment Services, according to an announcement by Sony.

The service intends to use AI for the taxi dispatch service.

“The services offered by the new company will be offered on a platform available to taxi operators across the country who wish to participate,” stated the announcement. “We plan to prepare multiple options for each business operator and aim to create a platform that allows more businesses to participate.”

Uber is reportedly also working to team with taxi companies in Japan.

The use of artificial intelligence is expected to aggregate and dispatch taxis more efficiently, such as anticipating when an event with many people is ending. The service is set to launch this year.