Mitsubishi : Joint PoC for Large-sized Self-driving Buses

Isuzu Motors Limited

Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd.

Mitsubishi Corporation

Fukuoka International Airport Co., Ltd.

Joint PoC for Large-sizedSelf-driving Buses

Isuzu Motors Limited (Isuzu), Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd. (NNR) and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement to jointly undertake a proof-of-concept (PoC) pilot project for large-sized,self-driving buses. The objective of this PoC is to promote advances in autonomous-driving systems and technologies, which promise to help address driver shortages in Japan's public transportation.

The pilot project will commence with restricted-area,level-2 (partial driving automation) buses and thereafter move in stages to more advanced self-driving technologies. Its ultimate aim is to realize level-4 (high driving automation) systems sometime in the not- too-distant future. For the initial, level-2 stage, which is scheduled to begin on March 8, shuttle buses will be run in a restricted area between the domestic and international terminals of Fukuoka Airport. The airport's administrative body, Fukuoka International Airport Co., Ltd., has made the area available because the project's objective matches its own plans to automate its shuttle buses to facilitate smoother inter-terminal passenger connections.

Through this project, Isuzu, NNR and MC shall work to identify both administrative- and service-related issues while advancing self-driving bus technologies. We shall also be examining ways to aid society's practical adoption of these technologies in the future and otherwise help to address labor shortages and the myriad other challenges born of Japan's aging population and declining birthrate.

[ Artist's Conception of Autonomous Shuttle Bus ]

[ PoC Area ] Restricted Area Connecting Fukuoka International Airport's Domestic and International Terminals