Yokowo Provides In-Vehicle IoT Solution to Support Unmanned Car Sharing Operations

Yokowo Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Katsuhei Yanagisawa) announced today that its in-vehicle IoT solution (key locking/unlocking system) has been adopted for "Budget Sub-Scribe Car Share," a new car sharing service offered by Idex Auto Japan Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Fukuoka City; President and Representative Director: Shinichiro Yamaura). This service is scheduled to launch on July 9, 2026.

"Budget Sub-Scribe Car Share," offered by Idex Auto Japan Co., Ltd., is an unprecedented car sharing model where a small group of people (approximately 15 individuals) jointly use one car per station.

Users can register their own "My Station" and use the service as many times as they wish on a fixed monthly fee basis, offering a new mobility infrastructure optimized for the times, blending the ease of traditional car sharing with the peace of mind of car ownership.

Furthermore, the service includes a system for mutual evaluation of the previous user's refueling status and interior cleaning condition after use, which is a feature that helps maintain vehicle quality even with unmanned operation.

Yokowo's in-vehicle IoT solution, adopted this time, enables secure and smooth key unlocking and locking by linking vehicles, the cloud, and smartphone applications. This allows for unmanned operation and non-contact usage, contributing to improved convenience of car sharing services and responsiveness to diversifying mobility needs.

Based on the technology cultivated to date, Yokowo has been developing IoT solutions in the in-vehicle field. Moving forward, the company will continue to contribute to the creation of new value by meeting diversifying mobility needs and providing related technologies and solutions.

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About Idex Auto Japan Co., Ltd.

Idex Auto Japan Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive mobility company that develops rental car services, automobile sales, car leasing, and insurance services. As the master licensee in Japan for the global rental car brands "AVIS" and "Budget," it provides rental car services nationwide.

Through a system that supports the entire car life, from vehicle sales to maintenance and insurance, it responds to diversifying mobility needs.

Features of Budget Sub-Scribe Car Share

1. Unlimited Rides with a Monthly Plan

Members can use the service as many times as they wish within the designated usage time set for each station by paying a monthly fee. The biggest feature is that "it can be used like your own car, despite being car sharing." (Only distance charges equivalent to actual gasoline costs will be incurred.)

2. Joint Use of One Car within the Local Community

Each station will have approximately 15 members, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. Introduction of a User-to-User Evaluation System (Patent No. 7749873)

When using car sharing, vehicle quality is maintained through mutual evaluation of the previous user's condition (refueling status, interior cleaning status).

4. Cheaper than "Ownership," More Freedom than "Traditional Car Sharing"

It provides a new mobility infrastructure that can be used freely when needed, while reducing the burdens associated with car ownership, such as parking fees, insurance, vehicle inspections, and taxes.

About the In-Vehicle IoT Solution (Key Locking/Unlocking System)

- Enables remote control of vehicle door locking and unlocking via smartphone operation. - Compatible with 24V vehicles; can also be used for trucks, construction machinery, and agricultural machinery. - Supports not only smart keys (remote keys) but also cylinder keys. - Miniaturization improves installation flexibility. - IC card authentication function can be added by optionally adding a dedicated NFC reader.

(Note) The information contained in this press release is current as of the date of publication. It is subject to change without notice. Please be aware of this in advance.

Contact Information

◇ Contact for Inquiries Regarding In-Vehicle IoT Solution (Key Locking/Unlocking System)

Yokowo Co., Ltd. Incubation Center, Inoue

TEL: 090-1507-4089

E-mail: [email protected]

HP: https://www.yokowo-dx.com/

◇ Contact for Inquiries Regarding Budget Sub-Scribe Car Share

Idex Auto Japan Co., Ltd. Business Development, Matsunaga

TEL: 090-7531-0084

E-mail: [email protected]