Tobetsu Town, Hokkaido and Macnica begin demonstration operation of autonomous driving EV buses to create liveliness around Lloyds Town Station

The Town of Tobetsu in Hokkaido (Mayor: Goto Masahiro) and Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Hara; hereinafter Macnica) announced today that they will begin demonstration operations of an autonomous driving electric bus utilizing the latest technology in order to create excitement around Royce Town Station.

Tobetsu Town has positioned the area around Royce Town Station, which opened in March 2022, as the "face of the new town", and has built a network of facilities such as the Royce Confect Royce Town Factory Co., Ltd. and the North European Wind Road Station Tobetsu. We aim to create a sustainable and vibrant city where people can live safely and securely by enhancing urban functions through cooperation with tourist facilities and the use of new technologies.

Macnica is using the world's most advanced technologies, such as AI, IoT, and autonomous driving, to tackle various social issues in collaboration with partner companies, research institutes, and local governments. As part of this initiative, we are working with local governments across the country to create safe, secure, and livable cities of the future, starting with demonstration experiments of autonomous driving buses.

This time, Tobetsu Town and Macnica will conduct demonstration operations of autonomous driving EV buses as a demonstration of the new technology, in order to connect tourist facilities around Lloyds Town Station and create bustle around Lloyds Town Station, which is the "new face of the town." Start a new initiative.

■Demonstration operation of new mobility using autonomous driving technology, etc.
autonomous driving is a system that uses cameras, sensors, GPS position information systems, etc. to recognize the surrounding situation, and autonomous driving system makes predictions and judgments and operates the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. The vehicle we will be using this time is the autonomous driving EV bus ``NAVYA ARMA'' ^*1, which has no steering wheel, accelerator, or brake pedals. The train will operate between JR Lloydstown Station and the Lloydstown Factory, providing trial rides and demonstration operations for Lloyds Confect employees, residents, and tourists. In addition, vehicle travel data will be linked to Macnica 's remote monitoring system "Macnica Mobility Data Platform ^*2" to check the driving information of the autonomous driving EV bus from a remote location in real time. By using autonomous driving EV buses, we can improve the convenience of commuting, increase the number of people who visit our factories, and, in the future, help address the shortage of drivers.

■ Co-creation activities with multiple mobility
In addition to autonomous driving EV buses, the expansion of the movable area through co-creation with JR and Tobetsu Fureai Bus (community bus), which is the main means of transportation at present, and the "Royce Town Factory" and "Nordic Wind Road Station By collaborating with destination facilities such as "Betsu", we will promote tours in Tobetsu Town and create a lively atmosphere.

<Outline of demonstration operation>
No snow season
・Operating days: June 30, 2023 (Friday) to July 17, 2023 (Monday) for a total of 18 days
・Operating hours: 9:10-16:45 (2-3 round trips/hour, about 4 minutes each way)
・Fare: Free
・Method of boarding: No reservation required (However, the bus will operate flexibly depending on the weather and passenger conditions.)
・Operating route: JR Royce Town Station - Royce Town Factory (about 700m)

The car body is wrapped with “flax flowers” grown in the town and “Tobenosuke”, the image character of Tobetsu Town.

●Snow season
・Operating days: About 7 days in total from mid-December 2023 to February 2024 *Schedules are selected according to snow conditions

In addition to the demonstration operation of autonomous driving EV buses, Tobetsu Town and Macnica will continue to actively utilize new technologies, such as multifaceted initiatives aimed at implementing smart towns, and the use of various contents and data. We aim to create a new sustainable town where people can live safely and securely.

*1: autonomous driving bus NAVYA ARMA
ARMA is an autonomous driving shuttle bus equipped with an autonomous driving system. EV (electric vehicle)
It is a vehicle) specification, and it 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: Maximum 15 (8 users)
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 through the "autonomous driving Demonstration Experiment Support Service Program" jointly established by Macnica, Fuyo Sogo Lease Co., Ltd., and Fuyo Auto Lease Co., Ltd. Please refer to the URL below for details.
https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/maas/news/2021/136501/

*2: 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.

*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.

<Inquiries regarding this demonstration operation>
Tobetsu Town Planning Department Business Promotion Section Takada
TEL: 0133-23-3198
Email: toshikei@town.tobetsu.hokkaido.jp

Tanaka, Government Solutions Promotion Office, Macnica
TEL: 045-470-9191
MAIL: tanaka-yos@macnica.co.jp