Macnica and Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido conduct public road demonstration experiment of autonomous driving EV bus ~ Solving regional issues using digital technology ~

Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, President: Kazumasa Hara, hereinafter referred to as Macnica), a total Services & Solutions provider in semiconductors, networks, cybersecurity, and AI/IoT, and Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido (Mayor: Satoshi Matsuno) will conduct a public road demonstration experiment of autonomous driving EV buses in the Kitamura district of Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido.

Iwamizawa City is experiencing rapid population decline, declining birthrate and aging population. Especially in agricultural areas where residential areas are widely dispersed, it is becoming difficult to maintain life infrastructure such as electricity and local transportation. Concerned. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, we will conduct a public road test of an autonomous driving EV bus that utilizes locally produced and consumed energy, aiming to provide a new transportation service to citizens with a low environmental impact. In the future, we aim to implement social services for citizens using MaaS.

Macnica leverages its extensive experience in autonomous driving technology knowledge and consulting, and the operation of demonstration experiments in Japan and abroad related to autonomous driving transportation services, to plan demonstration experiments, conduct preliminary verification (driving route risk assessment), and implement autonomous driving. We support the commercialization of next-generation mobility services by providing total support from work and operation maintenance to maximizing the effects of implementation. This demonstration experiment will include the operation of an autonomous driving autonomous driving bus "ARMA*" manufactured by France's NAVYA, which has no steering wheel, accelerator, or brake, as well as the implementation technology support and operation management system necessary for autonomous driving We provide.

This demonstration experiment will be conducted by the Local Production and Local Consumption Energy Promotion Consortium, which is comprised of Macnica, Iwamizawa City, and three organizations including Iwamizawa City companies, in collaboration with partner organizations such as Hitachi Hokkaido University Lab. In addition, the autonomous driving EV bus used in this demonstration experiment will be provided by the autonomous driving Demonstration Experiment Support Service Program, which is a business partnership between Fuyo Sogo Lease Co., Ltd., Fuyo Auto Lease Co., Ltd., and Macnica, which are participating as cooperating organizations. Provided by ``.

[Details of this demonstration experiment]
・Demonstration of driving on public roads in the Kitamura area of Iwamizawa City, which is an area of special heavy snowfall.
・Possibility evaluation and verification of mobile healthcare services for local residents using autonomous driving EV buses
・Utilization of electric power generated using gas associated with hot springs and solar power, which is being demonstrated at the Kitamura Akagawa Mine Facility, and verification of the effect of reducing CO2 emissions by using it for charging and low carbonization by using electric power.

[Outline of this demonstration experiment]
■ Schedule: December 22nd (Thursday) to December 25th (Sunday), 2022
■ Hours: 10:00 to 16:00
*May be canceled due to weather conditions.
Location: Iwamizawa City Kitamura Branch (593-1 Akagawa, Kitamura, Iwamizawa City) and others
running route
①Iwamizawa City Kitamura Branch to Elderly Welfare Facility
②Iwamizawa City Kitamura Branch - Central Autonomy Hall
*Two flights will run on each route.

*We will pay close attention to measures against COVID-19, such as measuring the temperature of the driver and test rider, and disinfecting the car with alcohol before boarding.

*: autonomous driving bus ARMA (manufactured by NAVYA, France)
ARMA is an autonomous driving shuttle bus equipped with an autonomous driving system. It is an EV (electric vehicle) specification, and can run automatically for about 9 hours (100km) on a single charge.

Overall length: 4,750mm
Height: 2,650mm
Width: 2,110mm
Weight: 2,400kg
Gross vehicle weight: 3,450kg
Number of passengers: Up to 4 people (limited due to new coronavirus measures)
Power source: electric motor
Maximum speed: 18km/h (Average speed of about 15km/h during operation)
autonomous driving level: Level 2 (technically equivalent to level 3)
Others: In case of emergency, the passenger's driver will intervene manually

The autonomous driving EV bus used in this demonstration experiment will be provided by the "autonomous driving Demonstration Experiment Support Service Program," a business partnership between Fuyo Lease, Fuyo Auto Lease, and Macnica, which are participating as cooperating organizations.

*Product names mentioned in the text are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
*Information (including product prices, specifications, etc.) in the news release is current as of the date of the announcement. Please note that it is subject to change without prior notice.

＜本実証実験に関するお問い合わせ先＞
株式会社マクニカ　官公ソリューション推進室　田中
TEL　：045-470-9191
MAIL ：tanaka-yos@macnica.co.jp