Explore Osaka Castle Park and experience Japan at 5km/h with mobile service “iino”

The first substantial experiment of the entertainment project “cross 5km/h”, auto travel mobility service “iino”, held in Osaka Castle, ended with great success.

Kansai Electric Power’s Co., Inc. (KEP) and Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Co., Ltd.(SJN), conducted a demonstration experiment on a mobile platform service using “iino” from March 17th to March 21st.

The demonstration of this new idea came out of the “Osaka Castle Park Experiment Project” that was started by the “Verification Business Review Team”, which consisted of: the Osaka Prefectural Government, Osaka City Government, and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Based on the concept of the “cross 5km/h” mobile entertainment, they offered new experimental plans, such as mobile tea parties, to a small number of foreign tourists who applied in advance.

There are many things that you can see, hear, and feel when you travel at a speed of 5 kilometres per hour with iino. You will be able to enjoy the sights and food is provided for you without the stress of moving around.

Along with Atsushi Hioki, a choreographer and master dancer, the “Slow-Moving Tea Rooms and Classical Japanese Dance” was conducted with the aim of making Japanese traditional tea ceremonies more casual and maximize the scenery of Osaka Castle. As a result, there was a rush of application requests to try out the experience, despite it being advertised only a week before.

In addition, a large audience gathered to see an impromptu performance by LA SENAS, a performance arts group that uses 150 types of hand signs. The show was held on several iino. Taking advantage of automatic driving, the stage moved freely through the castle’s park as it navigated Nishinomaru-niwa Garden.

Furthermore, iino was served as a mobile vendor, providing food, drinks, and space while travelling around Osaka Castle Park. Special products that are famous in Japan were introduced to the foreigners and then made available to purchase as souvenirs for tourists visiting the castle.

In the future, iino will be developed as a mobile experience platform in tourist spots around Japan. This project aims to provide valuable new experience by utilizing the technology of low-speed urban mobility. In addition, SJN provides remote monitoring, prior risk assessment, and insurance services to ensure safety. The result of all of this has led “iino”, that runs automatically at 5km/h, to become a great success.

As a mobile platform, iino can provide a wide range of entertainment: Japanese traditional performing arts, relaxation, improvisation music, mobile sales, street walking, and sightseeing (means of movement); all of this is done on the car.