On October 21, four companies—Toyota Tsusho, Advanced Mobility, Nippon Koei, and Mizuho Research & Technologies—along with four commercial vehicle manufacturers (Isuzu Motors, Hino Motors, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus, and UD Trucks)—began a comprehensive driving demonstration aimed at the social implementation of Level 4 autonomous trucks.
<Autonomous driving test vehicles from UD Trucks, Isuzu, Advanced Mobility, Hino, and Mitsubishi Fuso>
Toyota Tsusho and three other companies have been commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to carry out the "Advanced Mobility Services Research and Development and Social Implementation Project for Level 4 Automated Driving (RoAD to the L4)" since fiscal year 2021, specifically for "Initiatives toward the practical application of high-performance trucks on expressways (Theme 3)," and are advancing technological development and environmental improvements toward the social implementation of Level 4 automated driving trucks.
This comprehensive driving demonstration will be conducted as the final year of the Theme 3 project, representing the culmination of previous verifications and demonstrations. It will be carried out in a continuous flow on the Shin-Tomei Expressway between Shin-Gotemba IC and Okazaki SA, performing functions that have been individually verified so far. The demonstration will run until December 2025, with a driving distance of approximately 210 km one way. Twelve round trips are planned.
■See Truck News for details.
Four domestic trucking companies begin comprehensive driving demonstration on the Shin-Tomei Expressway to promote the social implementation of autonomous trucks.
