FM Yokohama and Macnica launch joint project to use autonomous driving electric bus as a "mobile radio studio" in Minato Mirai

(Image) autonomous driving electric bus

Macnica (hereinafter Macnica), Yokohama FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (hereinafter FM Yokohama), Future Institute Yokohama (hereinafter Future Institute), and LEALIAN Inc. (hereinafter LEALIAN) are jointly implementing "MOBILE STUDIO MM," a project to improve the value of transportation using autonomous driving electric buses. ^*1 This project will be carried out in conjunction with "YOXO FESTIVAL 2026."

1. background
In recent years, advances in autonomous driving technology and smart mobility have led to growing expectations for experiential travel, where "travel itself has value." At the same time, radio, an audio medium, is being reevaluated as a local medium that connects cities and people through "voice."
This project aims to combine audio experiences with moving spaces, creating new points of contact that allow a diverse range of people, including local residents, tourists, listeners, and local creators, to interact with the city.

2. Project Overview
autonomous driving EV bus will be used as a "mobile radio station" to record FM Yokohama programs and report on the city.
(1) Implementation period
Late January to early February 2026

(2)Contents
① Recording inside an autonomous driving electric bus traveling through the Minato Mirai area
Target program: Keep Green & Blue
Starring: MITSUMI
Special feature: FM Yokohama's first recording on a "autonomous driving EV bus in motion"
Broadcast: The recorded content will be broadcast from January 26th to 29th, 2026 from 9:50 PM to 10:00 PM

② Report from an autonomous driving electric bus
A popular reporter from "Kiss & Ride" will share the charms of the city from a moving bus.

③ Collaboration with YOXO FESTIVAL 2026
The project will be widely promoted to visitors at YOXO FESTIVAL 2026 (https://yoxo-o.jp/yoxofestival/), which will be held on Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1st, 2026, through the running of an autonomous driving EV bus and the setting up of a booth for this project.

④ Original sticker gift
On the day of the event, original stickers will be distributed around the booth.

3. Roles of each company
■ Macnica (autonomous driving technology partner)
• Provision of autonomous driving EV buses and operational support
• autonomous driving program design, preparation, operator, and tuning for autonomous driving EV buses
• Designing safe operation utilizing specialized knowledge of autonomous driving demonstrations
■Yokohama FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (Media Partner)
• Planning, producing, recording and assigning performers for radio programs
• Information dissemination through the program "Keep Green & Blue" and reports within the program
■ Yokohama Future Institute (regional collaboration and project promotion)
• Coordination of regional collaboration in the Minato Mirai area
• Overseeing collaborative planning with YOXO FESTIVAL 2026
■LEALIAN Co., Ltd. (providing charging facilities for vehicles)
•Power supply for autonomous driving electric buses

4. About the YOXO FESTIVAL 2026 Exhibition
At YOXO FESTIVAL 2026, there will be a special exhibition that anyone can enjoy, free of charge. Visitors can board an autonomous driving electric bus that has been converted into a radio booth, experience the atmosphere of a program recording, and listen to an actual radio program recording. https://yoxo-o.jp/yoxofestival/exhibit/?no=I-08

*This is a ride in a parked vehicle.
*Please note that the contents may change without notice.
*This project is being carried out with funding from the Minato Mirai 21 Urban Development Trust.

Runs within the Minato Mirai area

5. Future developments
This project is expected to become a model case for utilizing next-generation mobility in Minato Mirai through a new urban experience that combines autonomous driving technology with audio media. The mobile studio, which communicates the city's attractions while driving, is not only expected to promote understanding of autonomous driving EV buses, but also to improve local mobility and have a ripple effect on commerce and tourism. Going forward, we aim to develop this as a new implementation model for promoting smart cities.

*1: EVO autonomous driving electric bus (manufactured by Navya Mobility) EVO is an autonomous driving shuttle bus equipped with an autonomous driving system. It is an EV (electric vehicle) and can travel autonomously for approximately 9 hours (100 km) on a single charge.
Vehicle size
Total length: 4,776mm Total height: 2,652mm
Overall width: 2,098mm Weight: 2,689kg
Passenger capacity: 12 people
The vehicle's capacity during the demonstration experiment was 10 people (9 passengers and 1 driver).
Power source: electric motor
Maximum speed: 18km/h (average speed during demonstration experiment: 15km/h)
autonomous driving level: Level 2 (technically equivalent to Level 3)
Other: In case of emergency, the driver will manually intervene

*Company names and product names mentioned in the text are trademarks or registered trademarks of 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.

[Contact for inquiries regarding this matter]
■ Macnica
Smart City & Mobility Division
MAIL: auto-solution@macnica.co.jp

■Yokohama FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
MAIL: info@fmyokohama.jp

■ Yokohama Future Organization
MAIL: miraikiko@yoxo.jp

■LEALIAN Co., Ltd.
MAIL: info@lealian.co.jp