Toyota mulls using driverless vehicles as mobile convenience stores

Toyota Motor Corp. is considering to use self-driving vehicles as unmanned mobile convenience stores in cooperation with Seven-Eleven Japan Co., sources close to the matter said Friday. Under the plan, Toyota's autonomous electric vehicles -- which would carry Seven-Eleven products -- would offer self-service in the country's underpopulated areas, where it is less profitable for convenience store chains to operate outlets, the sources said. Toyota could also team up with Yamato Holdings Co. on door-to-door delivery services using driverless vehicles. The sources added Toyota is also looking to offer similar services, including mobile cafes for Starbucks coffee. In January, the automaker unveiled its e-Palette Concept Vehicle, announcing it will use the driverless electric platform to build an alliance with U.S. partners such as Amazon.com