NTT DOCOMO announced that it will offer a call-center and taxi-dispatch cloud system for regional taxi operators.
To facilitate the initiative, DOCOMO's wholly owned subsidiary NTT DOCOMO Ventures has taken an equity stake in Denno Kotsu, the developer of a cloud-based unified-operations model for taxi companies.
DOCOMO expects the service to help strengthen transportation options in regional areas of Japan, where senior citizens are increasing at a time when working populations are declining.
Established in 2015, Denno Kotsu is a venture company based in Tokushima Prefecture that has developed a cloud-based call/dispatch system that regional taxi companies can use jointly for increased operational efficiency and cost reduction. The system collectively manages the vehicles of multiple taxi operators, enabling centralized operators to handle dispatches for multiple companies.
During the rest of this year, DOCOMO will field test its new service in regional municipalities. Eventually it expects to develop a solution for use nationwide.
