Macnica Establishes Remote Operation Management Center as a Core Base for Sustainable Operation of autonomous driving Vehicles - Aiming to establish a sustainable operation model by optimizing operation systems and improving profitability -

Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Hara; hereinafter referred to as "Macnica") announces the opening of a remote operation control center based on Macnica proprietary remote operation control system, "everfleet," in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture, where autonomous driving electric buses are in regular operation. With this center as its core base, the company aims to centrally manage autonomous driving vehicles operating throughout Japan, helping to realize a safe and sustainable mobility society.

■Challenges for sustainable autonomous driving vehicle operation
The biggest challenge in the sustainable operation of autonomous driving vehicles is operating costs, a large portion of which is labor costs. Currently, to ensure safety, each autonomous driving vehicle requires an on-board operator, as well as constant remote monitoring personnel, which means that compared to existing manual driving, dependence on human labor is higher, which is one of the reasons for the increase in operating costs. Furthermore, to achieve Level 4 autonomous driving, remote vehicle operation management is essential, and its importance is expected to increase further in the future.
Conventional remote monitoring systems assign one or more monitoring personnel to each vehicle or region. However, this method is difficult to maintain, so there is a need to develop a new operational model that can safely and efficiently operate multiple autonomous driving vehicles with limited human resources.

■ Macnica 's Initiatives
The newly opened Remote Operation Control Center is building a system that can centrally monitor and manage autonomous driving vehicles operating in multiple different regions. Based on everfleet, the system incorporates and automates operation tasks that were previously performed manually by operators and remote monitors, enabling safe and efficient operation even with limited manpower.
As a core base supporting the sustainable operation of autonomous driving vehicles, the center aims to optimize the operation system, improve profitability, and establish a sustainable operation model.

Exterior of the center Interior of the center Remote operation management system "everfleet"

■Features of the remote operation management system "everfleet"
everfleet is Macnica 's proprietary remote operation management system developed to comprehensively manage the operation of a variety of autonomous driving vehicles, including autonomous driving buses and special vehicles.

1. Vehicle fleet management
Our highly reliable proprietary communications technology enables real-time visualization of the location information, operating status, and camera footage inside and outside the vehicle of all vehicles operating in multiple regions on a single screen, enabling immediate response in emergencies and abnormality detection, creating a system that allows for swift and accurate remote decision-making.

2. Automating Traffic Management Tasks with AI
Tasks such as measuring passenger numbers and detecting anomalies necessary to ensure safety on board will be automated using an AI-powered system, which will complement the limitations of human monitoring and enable rapid response by identifying signs of danger.

3. Integrated Data Management and Transportation Infrastructure Linkage
Data such as vehicle information and camera footage from all vehicles is transmitted to a remote management center with low latency and no loss, and managed in an integrated manner.Furthermore, by linking it with information from traffic infrastructure such as traffic lights and smart poles, a variety of data related to operations can be used in a unified manner.

■ Data utilization based on the remote operation control center
The operational data collected at this center will be stored and utilized in everfleet's integrated data platform. In addition to understanding daily operational status, the data can be used to consider future increases in vehicle numbers and route expansions, and by linking with external data platforms, it can also be used to formulate data-based urban plans and transportation policies.
As an example, Hitachiota City in Ibaraki Prefecture, which has begun regular operation of autonomous driving electric buses, provides residents with operation information through the Hitachiota Digital Map within the administrative information app "Jozurusan Navi." Passengers can check the current location and congestion status of buses in real time, helping to improve the convenience of public transportation and promote its use.

Vehicle location information and congestion information displayed on a digital map

Macnica will continue to utilize cutting-edge technology to build sustainable regional transportation systems and promote the creation of value-added services that utilize data, working together with local communities to envision a future in which solving regional transportation issues and revitalizing local economies go hand in hand.

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everfleet: https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/maas/services/142732/
Digital map: https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/maas/services/145104/

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Macnica Smart City & Mobility Division
TEL: 045-470-9118
MAIL: auto-solution@macnica.co.jp

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