Photo/Illutration Arma, a self-driving bus that runs on a regular schedule within Haneda Innovation City in Tokyo’s Ota Ward (Takumi Wakai)

Self-driving buses are set to start operating on public roads in Japan as early as the year-end, carrying the possibility of alleviating a nationwide driver shortage.  

The move would enable one employee to operate multiple vehicles, raising hopes such buses could be the “saviors” of a dwindling public transportation network.

Boldly Inc., a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp., unveiled its Arma self-driving electronic vehicle to the media on Nov. 16. The transport ministry approved it in late October as a Level 4 vehicle.

Rating a Level 4 on the five-level scale for automatic driving technology means the vehicle can conduct driving tasks without human interventions in limited areas.

“If Level 4 vehicles become widely available, it could significantly ease labor shortages,” said Yuki Saji, president of Boldly.

Arma, which seats 11 people without a driver’s seat, was approved to run only on a fixed route of about 800 meters around Haneda Innovation City, a large-scale commercial and business complex in Tokyo’s Ota Ward near Haneda Airport.

The bus has been operating on a regular schedule inside the complex since September 2020 as a Level 2 vehicle.

At Level 2, a crew member starts the bus using a touch panel, but once the bus starts moving, the automated system takes over operations. It uses LiDAR to detect obstacles with a laser, as well as GPS and 3-D map information.

Boldly plans to gradually switch the bus to a Level 4 after obtaining permission from the Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission and the Metropolitan Police Department.

The company is also operating a Level 2 bus in Kamishihoro, Hokkaido, and is aiming to transition that to a Level 4 as well.

Tier IV Inc., a startup from Nagoya University, also obtained Level 4 approval in October for its minibus equipped with an automated driving system it developed. The vehicle can operate on roads within the logistics facility in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture.

The startup’s automated driving system can be installed in vehicles beyond the minibus as well and the company aims to obtain Level 4 approval for multiple vehicles.

The ban on operating Level 4 vehicles on public roads was lifted following the enforcement of the revised Road Traffic Law in April.

Currently, the only Level 4 vehicle in practical use is a golf cart-based EV in Eiheiji, Fukui Prefecture. There are no Level 4 buses in operation yet.

The government has set a goal to automate buses and other vehicles across more than 50 locations nationwide by 2025 and is stepping up support for automated driving in various areas.

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Driverless buses across Japan are remotely overseen from a Boldly Inc.’s monitoring center in Sakai, Ibaraki Prefecture. (Takumi Wakai)

EASING DRIVER SHORTAGE

Driverless buses are hoped to alleviate the severe driver shortage in public transportation.

Japan is facing a so-called “2024 problem,” when overtime hours for drivers will be capped.

The Nihon Bus Association estimates a shortage of 36,000 bus drivers nationwide in 2030.

With Level 4 buses, drivers are not needed as long as there is an operator remotely monitoring the vehicles.

Boldly has a remote monitoring center that oversees driverless buses across the country. One person would operate multiple buses from there in a rotation, according to the company.

Even after obtaining Level 4 permission, Boldly plans to have attendants who will assist children and the elderly when they board and disembark from buses to ease passengers’ anxiety about there being no driver.

The attendants do not need driving qualifications, making it easier for the company to find people to do the job.

“If automated driving becomes more widespread, people from outside the bus industry would also be able to participate in the sector,” Saji said. “With Level 4 buses, we can create even more diverse employment opportunities in the operational areas.”

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