Macnica conducts demonstration experiment of autonomous driving EV bus on public roads in the area around JR Hakozaki Station in Fukuoka City - The demonstration experiment in the same area also includes signal and road vehicle coordination through infrastructure collaboration for the first time -

Macnica (headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Hara; hereinafter referred to as Macnica) will be conducting a public road demonstration experiment of an autonomous driving electric bus in the area around JR Hakozaki Station in Fukuoka City, together with the FUKUOKA Smart EAST Mobility Promotion Consortium (hereinafter referred to as FSE MobiCon).

FSE Mobicon ^{* 1} is working on the social implementation of new forms of mobility such as autonomous driving EV buses as part of Fukuoka Smart East, a city development project that aims to solve various social issues by introducing advanced technology. Masu.

In this demonstration experiment, Macnica will operate GAUSSIN MACNICA MOBILITY's ARMA ^*2, an autonomous driving EV bus without a steering wheel, accelerator, or brake pedals. In addition, aiming for safer operation, in some sections, we have implemented signal/road-vehicle coordination through infrastructure collaboration that visualizes traffic lights within the driving route and road environment information around the vehicle, which is a first in a demonstration experiment in the same area. To do. Vehicle driving information and infrastructure information will be linked to Macnica 's remote monitoring system "everfleet ^*3" to monitor and manage the real-time operating status of autonomous driving EV buses from a remote location. Furthermore, in this demonstration experiment, the location information of the autonomous driving EV bus and information on bus stops and surrounding stores will be integrated and visualized on a digital map and linked to ride reservations, thereby encouraging the use of autonomous driving EV bus and surrounding stores, and promoting local We will also carry out initiatives that will contribute to improving the mobility of visitors.

[Summary of this demonstration experiment]
■Date: Friday, February 16, 2024 Press/Test drive for interested parties
Saturday, February 17th, 2024 - Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 General trial test drive session
*Canceled due to stormy weather
■Time: 10:00-17:00 (6 flights a day)
■ autonomous driving vehicle: autonomous driving EV bus ARMA
■Run route: A route that starts and ends at JR Hakozaki Station and goes around the Harada, Matsushima, and Hakomatsu areas.
As shown in the route map below, drive while stopping at each boarding and alighting spot (approximately 50 minutes per lap)

■Capacity: 8 people per flight (5 people reserved, 3 people on the day)
■How to participate: Advance reservations can be made using the digital map below, which includes information on bus stops, nearby restaurants, etc.
Digital map URL https://platinumaps.jp/d/hakozaki
*First-come, first-served basis
■Participation fee: Free

*1: FSE Mobicon members
Fukuoka City, National University Corporation Kyushu University, Urban Renaissance Agency, Fukuoka Regional Strategy Promotion Council

*2: autonomous driving EV bus ARMA (manufactured by GAUSSIN MACNICA MOBILITY)
ARMA is an autonomous driving shuttle bus equipped with an autonomous driving EV system. It is an EV (electric vehicle) model and can run automatically for about 9 hours (100 km) on a single charge.

Total length: 4,750mm
Overall height: 2,650mm
Overall width: 2,110mm
Weight: 2,400kg
Gross vehicle weight: 3,450kg
Passenger capacity: 9 people (8 passengers + 1 crew member)
Power source: EV electric motor
Maximum speed: 19km/h
autonomous driving level: Level 2 (technically equivalent to Level 3)
Other: In the event of an emergency, the passenger 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/

*3: everfleet (Macnica remote monitoring system)
In order to put autonomous driving into practical use, it is necessary to remotely monitor the passengers inside the vehicle and the surroundings of the vehicle. everfleet integrates and centrally visualizes vehicle data such as vehicle speed, steering, and remaining battery power in addition to mobility location information and camera images inside and outside the vehicle, and external data that is coordinated with traffic infrastructure such as traffic lights. It is also possible to collaborate with This makes it possible to grasp the operation status from a remote location in real time and operate autonomous driving mobility safely and securely. Furthermore, the system can simultaneously manage a wide variety of mobility vehicles in multiple regions and automatically detect and notify abnormalities during operation, allowing a single remote operator to efficiently manage the operation of autonomous driving mobility vehicles. By doing so, we can realize labor-saving operations and contribute to improving transportation profitability.

＜Inquiries Regarding This Demonstration Experiment＞
Macnica, Inc. Smart Mobility Division
TEL:045-470-9118
MAIL:auto-solution@macnica.co.jp

*Company names and product names mentioned in this text are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macnica and each company.
*The information published in the news release (including product price, specifications, etc.) is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that the information may be subject to change without prior notice.