Key facts
- JCB and Resona Holdings are developing a hands-free bus payment system.
- The system uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology.
- Testing of the system is planned to start this fall.
- Small-scale commercial operations are planned for 2027.
- Full rollout of the system is planned for 2028.
- The system allows payments without tapping a card or using a smartphone.
JCB and Resona Holdings are collaborating to create a novel hands-free payment system for bus transportation in Japan, leveraging Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. This innovative approach aims to eliminate the need for passengers to physically tap payment cards or present smartphones at terminals. Instead, the system will recognize a passenger's device automatically when they are within proximity of the payment reader.
The companies are targeting the commencement of testing for this UWB-based payment system in the fall of the current year. Following successful trials, they intend to launch small-scale commercial operations in 2027. A comprehensive, full-scale rollout of the system across bus networks is projected for 2028.
This development signifies a move towards more seamless and convenient public transit payment experiences. UWB technology offers precise proximity detection, which is crucial for an automated payment system that needs to accurately identify passengers for fare collection without manual interaction.