Japan's First Domestic 5G-Enabled Multi-vehicle Autonomous Driving Experiment to Be Implemented on Public Roads

AISANTECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd.

KDDI CORPORATION

KDDI Research Inc.

Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc.

Tier IV Inc.

Okaya & Co. Ltd.

Nagoya University

February 5,2019

An experimental autonomous driving trial is to be carried out on Feb. 9 in the city of Ichinomiya, Aichi prefecture as part of the prefectures Fiscal 2018 Autonomous Driving Experimental Trial Promotion Project. Participants include AISANTECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, President: Atsushi Kato), KDDI CORPORATION (Headquarters: Chiyoda, Tokyo, President: Makoto Takahashi), KDDI Research Inc. (Headquarters: Fujimino, Saitama, President: Yasuyuki Nakajima), Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, President: Keiji Nishizawa), Tier IV Inc. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, President: Kazuya Takeda), Okaya & Co. Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, President: Tokuichi Okaya) and Nagoya University (Central campus: Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, President: Seiichi Matsuo). The first trial of its kind in Japan [

1], the experiment will involve the use of a next-generation 5G mobile communication system on public roads, and will include multiple vehicles operated by remotely monitored autonomous driving.

As Japan faces a full-fledged trend toward population decrease and low fertility, a number of societal issues are already emerging involving an increase in elderly drivers on regional roads and a decline in transportation options. Autonomous driving technology and the use of 5G ICT are attracting interest as tools that can be used to help ensure means of transportation in the future. The increasing sophistication of autonomous driving is making it a viable means of transportation that may alleviate problems such as geographical isolation of residents from convenient access to shopping, as well as a decline in numbers of bus and taxi drivers. It may also help promote tourism and stimulate the automotive industry.

The experimental trial involves two automated vehicles (one of which is equipped with 5G technology), which will self-drive with empty drivers seats. As they self-drive, one driver will monitor both vehicles at the same time from a remote location, assuming control in the event of any emergency.

The project is one of the ways in which AISANTECHNOLOGY, KDDI, KDDI Research, Sompo Japan Nipponkoa, Tier IV, Okaya & Co. and Nagoya University aim to help achieve safe, secure car life for everyone.

For details, please see the attachment.

Attachment: Japans First Domestic 5G-Enabled Multi-vehicle Autonomous Driving Experiment to Be Implemented on Public Roads

[Attachment] Roles of the partners

AISANTECHNOLOGY (Project Leader)

High-accuracy 3D map updating and production

Application production

Autonomous driving trial

Report production

KDDI

5G autonomous driving vehicle development and supply

4G LTE telecoms network supply, and 5G area construction and evaluation

Onboard telecoms hardware and remote-control console and communications for cloud-system connectivity

KDDI Research

5G autonomous driving vehicle development and supply

Support for systems design and 5G technology to enable remote autonomous driving

Sompo Japan Nipponkoa

Risk assessment related to autonomous driving

Consideration of specialized insurance and services development for autonomous driving

Tier IV

Supply of Autoware [

2] autonomous driving software

Technical support and advice regarding autonomous driving

Okaya & Co.

Autonomous driving project operations and practical testing support

Nagoya University

Acceptability study for trial riders and final comprehensive report

Notes:

[1]

A remote driving project using 5G and running on public roads (study by KDDI, Feb. 5, 2019).

[2]

Autoware is a trademark of the Autoware Foundation.

The information contained in the news releases is current at the time of publication. Products, service fees,service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.

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