Nippon Koei and Macnica conduct a demonstration experiment of autonomous driving EV buses in the central urban area of Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Fuyo Lease cooperates by providing vehicles

Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Hiroaki Araya, hereinafter referred to as Nippon Koei) and Macnica (Head office: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, President: Kazumasa Hara, hereinafter referred to as Macnica) are jointly Fuyo Sogo Lease Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Hiroaki Oda, hereinafter referred to as Fuyo Lease) and Fuyo Auto Lease Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Katsunobu Nagano, hereinafter referred to as Fuyo Auto) Demonstration experiment using autonomous driving EV bus provided by Lease ^{* 1} (hereinafter referred to as this demonstration experiment) will be conducted in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

In anticipation of the future introduction of autonomous driving EV buses into the city center of Hitachiota City, this demonstration experiment will verify the feasibility of using autonomous driving EV buses in the area. NAVYA's autonomous driving EV bus "ARMA ^{* 2}", which does not have a steering wheel, accelerator, or brake, will be operated in the central area of Hitachiota City. We will trial remote monitoring with a display that

autonomous driving EV bus ARMA​

In this demonstration experiment, Nippon Koei will utilize its past experience in operating demonstration experiments related to autonomous driving transportation services to prepare for, operate, and verify the effectiveness of autonomous driving bus operations.
Macnica provides the data acquisition and setup necessary for the operation of autonomous driving EV buses, as well as technical materials and acquired data necessary for autonomous driving driving. Additionally, by linking vehicle travel data to Macnica 's remote monitoring system "Macnica Mobility Data Platform ^{* 3}", it will be possible to check the travel information of autonomous driving EV buses in real time from a remote location.
Fuyo Lease and Fuyo Auto Lease will provide autonomous driving EV buses through the "autonomous driving Demonstration Support Service Program ^{* 4}" in which the three companies have concluded a business agreement with Macnica.

[Outline of this demonstration experiment]
■ Schedule: February 17 (Friday) to February 23 (Thursday/holiday), 2023
■Time: 8:45-16:30 (about 14 flights a day)
■ autonomous driving vehicle: autonomous driving EV bus ARMA (manufactured by NAVYA, France)
■Running route: Round trip route between Hitachiota City Hall and JR Hitachiota Station (approximately 1.3km one way)

■Service schedule: Operates during the times shown in the table below.

■ Participation method: For participation in the experiment, please check the HP of this demonstration experiment.
< http://autonomouscar-hitachiota.jp/ >

* We will take sufficient measures against COVID-19, such as temperature measurement of staff and test drivers, and disinfection of the car with alcohol before boarding.
*Please cooperate with wearing a mask when visiting.

*1: Demonstration experiment based on the "Reiwa 4 Hitachiota Urban Area autonomous driving Introduction Research Project" that was publicly solicited by Hitachiota City (Planning Department, Planning Division). (Successful bidders are Nippon Koei and Macnica)

*2: autonomous driving EV bus ARMA (manufactured by French company NAVYA)
ARMA is an autonomous driving shuttle bus equipped with an autonomous driving EV 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
Overall height: 2,650mm
Width: 2,110mm
Weight: 2,400kg
Gross vehicle weight: 3,450kg
Number of passengers: up to 7
Power source: electric motor
Maximum speed: 18km/h (Average speed of about 10km/h during operation)
autonomous driving level: Level 2
Others: In case of emergency, the passenger's driver will intervene manually

*3: Macnica mobility data platform (remote monitoring system)
Monitoring is possible by collecting sensors installed on the vehicle (GPS, camera, etc.) and vehicle CAN information (vehicle speed, rotation speed, steering angle, etc.) and saving the data to the cloud using a high-quality transmission method. One person can remotely access the cloud and check the mobility status of multiple vehicles in real time. In addition, the accumulated data can be applied to check past situations, analyze data, and utilize AI. By utilizing a remote monitoring system, we aim to resolve the social issue of labor shortage.

*4: autonomous driving Demonstration Experiment Support Service Program (hereinafter referred to as the “Program”)
A service program jointly developed by Macnica, Fuyo Lease, and Fuyo Auto Lease.
Please refer to the URL below for details.
https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/maas/news/2021/136501/

*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. Subject to change without notice.

＜本実証実験に関するお問い合わせ先＞
日本工営株式会社　交通政策事業部　交通都市部
MAIL ：ml-autonomous-hitachiota@dx.n-koei.co.jp

Mobility solution department, Macnica,Inc.
Tel: 045-470-9118
Mail:auto-solution@macnica.co.jp