Macnica conducts its seventh demonstration experiment in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, with a view to regular operation of autonomous driving electric buses in conjunction with the reorganization of Chuo-dori Street. New verification items have been added with the aim of creating a lively atmosphere and encouraging people to visit the area through regular operation.

Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Hara; hereinafter referred to as Macnica) announces that, together with Mie Kotsu Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Mie Kotsu), SANGI Railway Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Sangi Railway), and KDDI CORPORATION (hereinafter referred to as KDDI), it will conduct an autonomous driving electric bus demonstration experiment (hereinafter referred to as this demonstration experiment), which is being promoted primarily by Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, from Wednesday, August 5, 2026 to Sunday, October 4, 2026.
This demonstration experiment aims not only to verify autonomous driving technology itself, but also to improve the convenience of travel on Chuo-dori, which connects Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station and JR Yokkaichi Station, and to create an environment that encourages people to wander around the city and stop by various places. This seventh experiment will build upon the knowledge gained from previous demonstrations and will verify technical and operational aspects with a view to future regular operation, including traffic signal intersection decision-making, merging onto the main line from boarding/alighting points, nighttime and summer operation, electronic tickets, and remote operation management.

autonomous driving electric bus driving on Chuo-dori Street in Yokkaichi City at night.

■New verification items in this demonstration experiment
This seventh demonstration experiment will take into account the driving and operational challenges identified in previous demonstrations and will conduct the following verifications in preparation for future regular operation.
(1) Technical verification
● Vehicle-based decision-making regarding traffic signals at intersections
We will verify that an autonomous driving EV bus can automatically determine whether or not to proceed by utilizing signal information (signal light color and remaining time) acquired from a signal controller, as well as signal light color information recognized by a camera mounted on the vehicle.
● Rearward detection allows for merging onto the main line from the platform.
We will verify that an autonomous driving electric bus can detect a regular vehicle approaching from behind, automatically start moving, and merge onto the main road.
● Nighttime verification
We will verify the safety and demand for autonomous driving driving during nighttime hours.
●Summer Verification
To assess the vehicle's condition under high-temperature summer conditions, we will investigate the impact of air conditioning operation on vehicle charging, as well as its impact on usability.
(2) Verification of an environment that is easy to ride in
As part of our efforts to explore boarding methods for future regular operation of autonomous driving electric buses, we will be conducting a trial run of electronic ticketing.
*Even if you do not have a smartphone, you can still board the train using a paper ticket.

■Roles of Each Company
Macnica Leveraging its track record in demonstration experiments related to the autonomous driving mobility service, the company will be responsible for everything from preliminary preparations to operations and effectiveness verification for the autonomous driving EV bus, which will circulate along Yokkaichi Chuo-dori. Additionally, as part of efforts to promote usage—which will lead to improved accessibility and a livelier atmosphere along Chuo-dori—the company will broadcast content on in-vehicle monitors.
Furthermore, during the Great Yokkaichi Festival held on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, we exhibited the autonomous driving EV bus, providing local residents with an opportunity to experience the vehicle firsthand.Furthermore, as part of our efforts to engage with the children who will shape the next generation, we are collaborating with Yokkaichi City’s “Children’s Future Coupon Program ^{(Trial Version)*1”} to award points to those who visited the exhibition at the Great Yokkaichi Festival and to those who ride the autonomous driving EV bus by the end of August 2026 during the demonstration period.

Scenes from autonomous driving EV bus exhibit at the Daiyokkaichi Festival held on August 1st (Sat) and 2nd (Sun).

Mie Kotsu and Sangi Railway will provide remote monitors for autonomous driving electric buses in remote operation monitoring. The remote monitoring will utilize Macnica 's remote operation management system "everfleet ^*2" to check the operating status of autonomous driving electric buses in real time. This aims to enable simultaneous management of multiple vehicles by a single remote monitor in the future, contributing to solving social issues such as the shortage of personnel in the transportation sector. Remote monitoring by Mie Kotsu and Sangi Railway will be conducted every Wednesday, while on other operating days, it will be carried out at Macnica 's "Remote Operation Management Center ^*3" located in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
KDDI will build and provide a communication environment that supports the safe and smooth operation of autonomous driving electric buses.

■Regarding the future
Leveraging the knowledge gained from this demonstration experiment, we will work with Yokkaichi City and related businesses to consider the realization of regular operation of autonomous driving electric buses in conjunction with the reorganization of Chuo-dori, aiming to build a sustainable mobility service that will improve accessibility and create a lively atmosphere.

[Overview of this demonstration experiment]
• Implementation period: August 5th (Wed) to October 4th (Sun), 2026 (excluding Mondays and Tuesdays).
• Operating hours: 12:30 PM to 4:13 PM (7 trips / Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
7:30 PM - 9:21 PM (4 flights / Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
• Vehicle: autonomous driving EV bus "EVO3" ^*4 (Manufactured by Navya Mobility) *1 unit in operation
• Route: Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station East ~ City Hall ~ JR Yokkaichi Station (approximately 1km one way)
• How to board: Electronic ticket (no advance reservation required) or paper ticket
*Electronic tickets require prior downloading and registration of a dedicated app.

*1: Children's Future Coupon Program Trial Version
The Yokkaichi City Children's Future Coupon Program will begin in October 2026. This program allows elementary and junior high school students in Yokkaichi City to collect points by participating in various "experience programs" held throughout the city or visiting specific facilities. These points can then be exchanged for coupons, which can be used to participate in special "coupon programs." A trial run is currently underway from August 1st (Saturday) to August 31st (Monday), 2026. For more details, please click here: https://www.city.yokkaichi.lg.jp/www/contents/1781057538876

*2: everfleet
To implement autonomous driving, it is necessary to remotely monitor passengers inside the vehicle and the surrounding environment. everfleet integrates and visualizes vehicle data such as vehicle speed, steering, and battery level, as well as location information and camera footage from inside and outside the vehicle. It can also link with external data, such as traffic signals, in cooperation with traffic infrastructure. This allows for real-time monitoring of operating conditions from a remote location, enabling the safe and secure operation of autonomous driving. Furthermore, because it can simultaneously manage a diverse range of mobility in multiple regions and automatically detect and notify of operational anomalies, it enables efficient operation management of autonomous driving by a single remote monitor, reducing the number of personnel required for operation and contributing to improved traffic profitability.

*3: Remote Operation Management Center
Macnica has established a remote operation management center based on its proprietary remote operation management system, "everfleet," in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture, where it operates autonomous driving electric buses on a regular basis. Using this remote operation management center as a core base, the company aims to centrally manage autonomous driving vehicles operating throughout Japan in the future, and to realize a safe and sustainable mobility society.

Macnica 's remote operation management center is located in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

*4: autonomous driving EV bus EVO3 (manufactured by Navya Mobility)
EVO is an autonomous driving shuttle bus equipped with an autonomous driving system. As an EV (electric vehicle), it can travel autonomously for approximately 9 hours (100 km) on a single charge.
Total length: 4,780mm
Overall height: 2,720 mm
Overall width: 2,170 mm
Weight: 2,500kg
Passenger capacity: 12 people *Passenger capacity during this demonstration experiment was 9 people (7 passengers, 1 operator, 1 security officer)
Power source: Electric motor
Maximum speed: 18 km/h (average speed during operation is approximately 15 km/h)
autonomous driving level: Level 4 compatible *This demonstration experiment will operate at Level 2.
Other: In emergencies, the onboard operator will intervene manually.

<Contact information regarding this demonstration experiment>
Macnica Smart City & 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.