Test Operation of Remote Controlled Driverless Autonomous Driving Mobility Services to Start

Aiming for the start of driverless autonomous driving mobility services on public roads in limited regional areas by the end of 2020 as part of the Growth Strategy Follow-ups 2020 (Cabinet Decision on July 17, 2020), METI and MLIT have been advancing a demonstration test for technologies and services involving autonomous driving carts making use of a remotely-controlled autonomous driving system on public roads exclusively for bicycles and pedestrians in Eiheiji Town, Fukui Prefecture. This was commissioned to the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as “AIST”).

Based on the results of the demonstration test, METI announces that Eiheiji Town will start test operation of driverless autonomous driving mobility services by making use of a remotely-controlled autonomous driving system on December 22 (Tue.), 2020, which will be commissioned to Machizukuri ZEN Connect Inc.

Using the remotely-controlled autonomous driving system subject to this test, one operator who remotely monitors use of a communication technology and simultaneously and remotely drives three driverless autonomous driving vehicles. Members of staff will be present in the vehicles’ back seats for security purposes.

METI and MLIT will further advance sophistication of such vehicles and development of the operation system and aim towards full-fledged operation by the end of FY2020.

Overview

Period of the test operation

December 22 (Tue.), 2020, onward
Note: The test operation will be suspended during the winter from December 25 (Fri.), 2020, to the end of February 2021, and restart from March 1, 2021.

Driving route

About a 2-km zone of Eiheiji Mai-road in Eiheiji Town, Fukui Prefecture

Note: Eiheiji Mai-road is a 6 km-long road exclusively for bicycles and pedestrians, and the test operation will target a 2-km zone of the road between Aratani and Shihi.

Fare

Adult: 100 yen per use, child: 50 yen per use (subject to passenger transportation for value using private vehicles;

Organizer of the operation

Eiheiji Town (this project will be commissioned to Machizukuri ZEN Connect Inc.)

Vehicles to be used

Yamaha electric carts, which AIST modified by adding autonomous driving functions

Operation method

Operation of three driverless autonomous driving vehicles by one operator who remotely monitors and operates them

Note: These vehicles will accommodate staff in the back seats, who are not drivers, mainly for security purposes.

• Operation of three driverless autonomous driving vehicles
  by one remote operator.
• Remote-monitoring and operation room

References

• 1. Overview of the driverless autonomous driving mobility services in Eiheiji Town, Fukui Prefecture (in Japanese)(PDF:984KB)
• 2. News release on AIST website (in Japanese)

Division in Charge

ITS and Autonomous Driving Promotion Office, Automobile Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau