In the face of a serious shortage of drivers in the logistics industry, Japan¡¯s government and commercial vehicle-makers are accelerating experiments aimed at putting self-driving trucks into practical use.

They are aiming to attain Level 4 autonomous driving, or driving without human intervention under certain conditions.

In addition to carrying out the trials, they will also make efforts to gain the public¡¯s understanding for self-driving trucks to ease concerns. Autonomous driving for large vehicles carries a risk of being ¡°rejected by the public with a single accident,¡± a senior official of a commercial vehicle-maker said.

¡°We¡¯re aiming to achieve a level of driving on par with or exceeding that of a careful driver¡± for self-driving trucks, Isuzu Motors Senior Executive Officer Hiroshi Sato told reporters on Nov. 18 in the town of Mukawa in Hokkaido, where a test run by a large self-driving truck was shown to the media that day.

The experiment was conducted on an approximately 5-kilometer test course, with the truck autonomously changing lanes, overtaking other vehicles, and smoothly accelerating at the start and decelerating when coming to a halt. A driver was seated but did not touch the steering wheel or the brakes.

Isuzu¡¯s system is designed for Level 4 autonomous driving. The company is slated to launch tests in January next year in which self-driving trucks will handle part of its group¡¯s logistics operations.

Similar experiments are being conducted in various parts of Japan.

In fiscal 2021, the country¡¯s four major commercial vehicle makers started test runs on expressways at the initiative of the government. The project is now at the practical stage, in which the overall flow of driving is being tested.

In July this year, T2, a Tokyo-based company that develops autonomous driving systems, introduced Level 2 technology, which achieves partially automated driving, in part of five Japanese logistics service providers¡¯ transport operations between the Kanto region and Kansai region, becoming the first company in the nation to commercialize the technology.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus will also start similar tests using trailers in January next year.

In all of these experiments, there is a driver aboard. The practical application of Level 4 technology is urgently needed as, according to an industry ministry survey, the overall transportation capacity of trucks in Japan will become some 34% short in fiscal 2030.

At the same time, gaining the public¡¯s understanding holds the key to putting large autonomous trucks to practical use.

As well as spreading knowledge to the public through lectures, Isuzu plans to increase opportunities for people to experience self-driving technology partly through test-ride events, said Shigeru Okitsu, head of the company¡¯s commercial mobility operation promotion division.