Japanese companies are at the forefront of introducing autonomous vehicles at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport, a major transportation hub for travelers both domestically and internationally. This innovative move is part of a larger effort to revolutionize transportation and address the challenges posed by labor shortages in the country.
Haneda Innovation City, located near the airport, is set to become a testing ground for fully automated Level 4 driverless buses. These buses, capable of operating without human intervention, will transport passengers within the complex free of charge. With a capacity of 11 passengers, these vehicles will navigate an 800-meter route at a maximum speed of 12 kilometers per hour, all while being monitored remotely to ensure safety and efficiency.
The project is a collaboration between Boldly Inc., a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. specializing in driverless vehicles, and Kajima Corp., a leading general contractor involved in managing the complex. These companies have obtained approval from authorities to provide public services using Level 4 vehicles, marking a significant milestone in the adoption of autonomous transportation in Japan.
In addition to the driverless buses operating within the Haneda Innovation City complex, there are plans to introduce an autonomous vehicle that will connect the complex to the airport on a 3.9 km round-trip route by 2026. This expansion of autonomous transportation services demonstrates the commitment of Japanese companies to embracing cutting-edge technology to enhance the overall travel experience for passengers.
Japan is currently facing a severe labor shortage, particularly in the transportation sector. The government has been actively promoting the use of driverless vehicles as a solution to the dwindling number of bus and taxi drivers. By leveraging autonomous technology, companies can not only address workforce challenges but also improve the efficiency and reliability of transportation services for the public.
In a separate initiative, All Nippon Airways Co. and Toyota Industries Corp. recently conducted a trial of Level 4 autonomous vehicles at Haneda Airport. This trial, the first of its kind within a limited domestic airport area, tested the safety and operational capabilities of driverless transport vehicles. With plans to implement these vehicles by 2025, this collaboration represents another step forward in the integration of autonomous technology into the transportation sector.
Equipped with advanced cameras and sensors to detect obstacles on the track, the driverless transport vehicles demonstrated their ability to navigate a 2 km route between the runway and a nearby facility at a speed of approximately 15 km per hour during a recent demonstration. This successful test underscores the potential of autonomous vehicles to revolutionize airport operations and improve overall efficiency in the transportation industry.
Overall, the introduction of autonomous vehicles at Haneda International Airport and Haneda Innovation City reflects Japan’s commitment to embracing innovation and technology to address pressing transportation challenges. By leveraging the capabilities of driverless technology, Japanese companies are paving the way for a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable transportation system that will benefit passengers and the broader community alike.