HIOKI and Macnica begin demonstration operation to introduce autonomous driving EV buses with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality

HIOKI (HIOKI EE Corporation: Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Okazawa Takahiro), which develops, manufactures, sells, and services electrical measuring instruments, and Macnica (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Hara Kazumasa), a Services & Solutions provider, have begun demonstration runs of an autonomous driving EV bus at the HIOKI Head Office Factory (Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture) and on public roads in the surrounding area, aiming to become carbon neutral and introduce autonomous driving EV bus. This demonstration run will be carried out with the cooperation and support of Ueda City, Ueda Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Ueda Bus Co., Ltd., and Chikuma Bus Co., Ltd. HIOKI (HIOKI EE Corporation: Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Okazawa Takahiro), which develops, manufactures, sells, and services electrical measuring instruments, and Macnica (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Hara Kazumasa), a Services & Solutions provider, have begun demonstration runs of an autonomous driving EV bus at the HIOKI Head Office Factory (Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture) and on public roads in the surrounding area, aiming to become carbon neutral and introduce autonomous driving EV bus. This demonstration run will be carried out with the cooperation and support of Ueda City, Ueda Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Ueda Bus Co., Ltd., and Chikuma Bus Co., Ltd.

■Background of demonstration operation
HIOKI has a strong sense of crisis regarding the current state of social implementation in Japan in response to the global trend of rapidly evolving mobility technology. By conducting this demonstration operation, in addition to achieving autonomous driving neutrality, we hope to create an opportunity for HIOKI employees and local residents to directly autonomous driving next-generation mobility. We have decided to conduct a demonstration operation of a autonomous driving EV bus together with Macnica.

■Outline of demonstration operation
In this demonstration operation, Macnica 's autonomous driving EV bus "NAVYA ARMA" ^{* 1,} which does not have a steering wheel, accelerator, or brake, will be operated on public roads in and around HIOKI's main factory, and will be used for HIOKI employees and citizens. We will carry out trial test drives and demonstration operations. In addition, vehicle driving data will be linked to Macnica 's remote monitoring system "Macnica Mobility Data Platform ^{* 2}", and remote monitoring will be carried out on a trial basis using a display installed on the grounds of HIOKI's main factory.

Schedule: Tuesday, August 29, 2023 to Saturday, September 2, 2023 *For HIOKI employees
September 8th (Friday) to September 9th (Saturday), 2023 *For citizens
Time: 10:00-16:00 (September 9 only, 13:00-16:00)
Driving route: Public roads around the head office factory (scheduled to be officially decided in the future based on discussions with related organizations)
(1) “Izumino,” a long-term health care facility for the elderly, and the HIOKI Headquarters Factory (Koizumi Route 2) in front of the Machi-Koizumi intersection on National Route 143
(2) Site of Watahan Supercenter Ueda store and HIOKI Head Office Factory (Yokoyama Kambata Line) in front of Prefectural Route 65 Bypass Nanbu Fire Station-mae Intersection
Vehicle used: autonomous driving EV bus NAVYA ARMA
・Level 3 autonomous driving system (driving at level 2 during operation)
・Number of passengers: Up to 10 people
・Maximum speed: 18km/h
・Automatic driving is possible for approximately 9 hours (100km) on a single charge.
Others: ・We have received permission to use the road for autonomous driving from the Nagano Prefectural Police.
・There are no traffic restrictions associated with the demonstration operation.
・Staff will be posted at intersections and other dangerous places to ensure safety.
・A notice board will be installed during the demonstration operation.
・The autonomous driving bus has a trained driver.
・In the event of an emergency, the passenger's driver will intervene manually.
・We do not operate during commuting hours so as not to cause traffic congestion.
Cooperation and support: Ueda City (comprehensive support)
Ueda Bus Co., Ltd., Chikuma Bus Co., Ltd. (Provision of operating personnel)
Ueda Electric Railway Co., Ltd.

① Machi Koizumi intersection
②HIOKI
③ Watahan Super Center Ueda

■Outlook and expected effects after demonstration operation
Through this demonstration operation, we will encourage HIOKI employees to learn the latest technologies necessary for realizing a sustainable society, and will lead to the provision of innovative measurement solutions as a frontrunner in the industry.
Furthermore, based on the results of the demonstration operation, HIOKI will work on reducing CO2 emissions in a comprehensive manner by examining and testing various measures, including autonomous driving EV buses. We also hope to share the knowledge gained through demonstration operations with Macnica cooperation with other businesses in Ueda City and actively contribute to reducing CO2 emissions in the city.
In addition, we will proceed with this demonstration experiment one after another in compliance with laws and regulations and in consultation with administrative agencies and local residents.

*1: autonomous driving EV bus NAVYA ARMA
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 10
Power source: electric motor
Maximum speed: 18km/h
autonomous driving Level: Level 3 autonomous driving System (driving at level 2 during operation)
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.