"Verification of communication systems contributing to safe and efficient Level 4 autonomous driving" begins in Misato Town, Shimane Prefecture -autonomous driving demonstration project in a mobile phone dead zone*1

A consortium consisting of NTT West Corporation Shimane Branch (Branch Manager: Etsuko Fukushima, hereinafter referred to as NTT West Shimane Branch), NTT Business Solutions Corporation Shimane Business Sales Department (Board Director General Manager of Shimane Business Sales Department: Hayato Nishikori, hereinafter referred to as NTT BS), and Macnica (Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Hara, hereinafter referred to as Macnica) has been selected for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Regional Digital Transformation Promotion Package Project (autonomous driving Level 4 Verification Type)." In this project, in collaboration with cooperating organizations ^{* 2}, Misato Town, Shimane Prefecture (Mayor: Takashi Kado, hereinafter referred to as Misato Town), Shimane Prefecture, the Chugoku Economic Federation's Information and Communications Committee, and Shimane University, the consortium will begin verification of communication systems that contribute to safe and efficient Level 4 autonomous driving in Misato Town, which is experiencing a significant driver aging population and driver shortage.

*1 An area where mobile phone signals do not reach and calls or data communications are not possible.

*2 Corporations and other entities cooperating in this demonstration will provide support for various coordination tasks, such as explaining the project to residents, and provide guidance to the consortium for the demonstration.

1. Background and purpose
Misato Town and NTT West Shimane Branch have been working together to solve various local issues through the "Collaboration Agreement on Regional Revitalization Using ICT ^{* 3}" signed in December 2020.
The consortium has been selected for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Regional Digital Transformation Promotion Package Project (autonomous driving Level 4 Verification Type).^{" * 4} To maintain and continue public transportation networks through the use of autonomous driving technology, the consortium will utilize the know-how it has cultivated in resolving regional issues and the ICT capabilities of the NTT Group.

*3 Press release: Regarding the conclusion of a partnership agreement on regional revitalization using ICT
　https://www.ntt-west.co.jp/newscms/shimane/9950/20201217.pdf

*4 Press release: Selection of demonstration organizations for verifying communication systems that contribute to safe and efficient Level 4 autonomous driving
　https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/01ryutsu06_02000431.html

2. Business overview
This project aims to resolve issues in the demonstration area by establishing a relatively inexpensive and easily configurable communications system that utilizes Wi-Fi standards and products suitable for medium- to long-distance communications and low-earth orbit satellite communications services in sections where it is difficult to secure cellular communications bandwidth. The project is a demonstration experiment that will verify the communications system requirements necessary to realize demand-based Level 4 autonomous driving in mountainous and hilly areas using a cooperative infrastructure platform, as well as the effectiveness of demand-based autonomous driving.

・Business period: May 23, 2025 to January 30, 2026
・Demonstration period: 1. Kasubuchi route: December 16th to 22nd, 2025
②Hinomiya Route: January 22nd to 28th, 2026 ^{* 5}
・Operating locations: 1. Kasubuchi Route: Iwami Ginzan Kaido in the Kasubuchi area, a transportation hub and home to the Misato Town Hall, the town with the largest population (approximately 2.7km one way)
② Hinomiya Route: A prefectural road with little traffic, mostly mountainous areas, and some areas where cellular signals are out of range (approximately 3.6 km one way).
- Vehicle to be used (planned): autonomous driving EV bus EVO (manufactured by Navya Mobility)

*5 In principle, only those involved will be allowed to ride the bus, but plans are in place to allow the general public to ride the bus depending on the results of police roadside inspections.

Navya Mobility EVO
Test drive capacity: 9 people

3. Roles of each company
(1) NTT West Japan
Demonstration operation management, progress management, administrative correspondence, etc.

(2) NTT BS
Risk assessment, autonomous driving map creation, autonomous driving vehicle tuning, remote monitoring system construction, maintenance and operation, reservation app provision, demonstration operation support, etc.

(3) Macnica
Provision of autonomous driving electric buses and remote operation management systems
autonomous driving EV bus engineering and support, operation system construction, etc.

4. Future developments
This project aims to resolve technical issues in order to bring Level 4 autonomous driving into society.
Furthermore, by utilizing the knowledge and know-how gained through this demonstration regarding "ensuring communication quality in mountainous regions where communication environments are inadequate" and "establishing a communication environment using long-distance Wi-Fi in areas where mobile phone reception is weak," the company aims to accelerate the social implementation of Level 4 autonomous driving in local governments in mountainous regions that face similar challenges.