Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11:07 GMT+7
Central Japan Railway Co., or JR Tokai, said Friday that it will introduce a new Shinkansen bullet train model equipped with an autonomous operation system for the first time.
An image of the new S0 Series Shinkansen train model (Courtesy of JR Tokai)
JR Tokai aims to put the new S0 Series model into service on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines in July 2029. It will be the first fully remodeled one in nine years.
The S0 Series trains will autonomously run, stop and adjust their speed for energy-efficient operation based on timetable information and other data received via train radio signals.
The new trains will have a new earthquake detection system that reduces the time between quake detection and braking to about a tenth of the current time.
Drivers will take control when the trains depart from stations and apply the brakes in emergencies.
The design of the new model has yet to be finalized, but it will feature a twisted profile extending from the nose to the sides of the front car to reduce air resistance. This is expected to reduce electricity consumption by 6 pct compared with the N700S Series Shinkansen, one of the current models.
The S0 Series will also have expanded luggage storage space and improved Wi-Fi service in Green Car premium-class cars.
