JCB, Resona, Odawara to Develop UWB Payments for Buses

JCB, Resona Holdings, and ODAWARA AUTO-MACHINE MFG. have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop and implement Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless payment solutions for public bus services.

The initiative aims to address challenges within Japan's bus industry, including driver shortages and an aging workforce. The goal is to reduce the burden on drivers from managing diverse payment methods and assisting passengers, which often causes delays during peak hours. UWB technology enables completely hands-free transactions, allowing passengers to board and alight without needing to present smartphones or payment cards.

In collaboration with active bus operators, technical and payment verification trials will commence in FY2026. Small-scale commercial rollouts are planned for FY2027, with full-scale deployment targeted for FY2028.

The UWB technology is expected to enhance the passenger experience by removing the need to search for payment methods and offering personalized mobility services. Bus operators will benefit from increased operational efficiency, shorter boarding times, and improved scheduling based on data.

As part of the initiative, Odawara has joined the FiRa® Consortium to promote the standardization of UWB technology for transit payments and expand its use beyond transportation into smart retail and MaaS (Mobility as a Service) applications.