Turing Drive, a Taiwanese startup specialising in autonomous driving technology for specialised uses, plans to expand further in Japan as a step towards wider commercial deployment, Nikkei Asia has reported.
Founded in 2018, the company, has already run pilot projects in Japan. Trials have taken place in settings such as tourist destinations and factories.
“Japan has become our most important market,” co-founder Hubert Chen told Nikkei. “We are building a very close and cooperative relationship.”
Chen added the company intends to prioritise Japan as a base for moving into full-scale implementation of its technology.
Turing Drive differentiates itself by focusing on manufacturing, construction and agriculture. It is not primarily targeting public-road autonomy, where competition among developers is more crowded.
Instead of building vehicles, the startup provides vehicle management and autonomous driving software to service operators and vehicle manufacturers.
It also develops customised systems for each customer, saying standards vary across countries and regions in the sectors it serves.
In December, Turing Drive announced the completion of a pre-Series A funding round, raising T$150m ($4.6m). Participants included Japan’s autonomous vehicle technology developer Tier IV.
The company also received support from an artificial intelligence investment programme created by Taiwanese authorities.
Nikkei reported that Turing Drive has conducted trials in six countries and regions, mainly in Taiwan, with additional testing in Japan and the US.
Its products have been used across more than 30 vehicle models. The company said vehicles using its systems have driven more than 33,500km in total.
Japan is expected to be the main focus for the next phase of implementation, according to the report.
Turing Drive believes that demonstrating capability in Japan’s highly regulated market could help it expand globally.
Turing Drive has not disclosed sales figures. However, Nikkei said Japan accounted for around half of revenue in 2024 and about 70% in 2025.
The company plans to open a Tokyo office as early as 2026.
Chen said he wants to work with Japanese construction and farm equipment makers, adding the startup is “aiming to start making a profit in 2027.”
One Japanese trial took place on Miyako Island in Okinawa prefecture, a tourist destination popular with Taiwanese visitors. Turing Drive tested autonomous vehicles to transport tourists.
