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Home / Business

Toyota developing buses to serve as self-driving stores

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8 Jan, 2018 08:03 PMQuick Read

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Toyota plans to take the retail experience from bricks and mortar to tyres and metal. Photo/Press.

Toyota plans to take the retail experience from bricks and mortar to tyres and metal. Photo/Press.

Self-driving vehicle technology might still be in its infancy, but Toyota took its time on stage at the CES gadget in Las Vegas to show it's already thinking a few steps ahead.

The Japanese automaker says it's developing self-driving mini-buses that can serve as bite-sized stores.

These vehicles will drive themselves to places where potential buyers can try on clothes or shoes or pick through flea market items. They can also give employees fully functional office space on their commute.

The project, unveiled at CES on Monday, is still in the conceptual stage. A concept vehicle is still being developed and will be tested in the 2020s. A version is also expected to make an appearance at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The Japanese automaker is partnering with Amazon, Uber, Pizza Hut, Mazda and Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi on what it is calling the e-Palette Alliance.

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Toyota President Akio Toyoda told CES conference attendees: "In the future, the store will come to you."

- Associated Press

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