TIER IV has completed a proof-of-concept program testing long-haul autonomous trucking in collaboration with Yamato Transport and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation. The trials were conducted as part of a Japanese government initiative focused on advancing automated logistics systems. Tests took place between February 16 and February 20, 2026, covering a roughly 500-kilometer route between Tokyo’s Haneda Chronogate logistics hub and the Kansai Gateway base in Osaka while carrying commercial freight.
During the trial program, the semi-trailer truck operated using Level 2+ autonomous driving technology for a 100-kilometer segment of the Shin-Tomei Expressway in Shizuoka Prefecture. Engineers evaluated vehicle performance, safety behavior, and driver interaction with the system, while also collecting trailer motion data including sway patterns and articulation movement. Operational reliability was measured by comparing travel times during automated and manual driving to verify schedule stability. Additional testing examined logistics workflows such as automated pre-trip inspection systems and remote vehicle monitoring, both considered important for future Level 4 deployments. The participating companies plan to use operational insights from the program to further refine autonomous logistics technology.
Why it matters
Autonomous trucking trials provide operational data needed to advance higher-level automation in freight logistics and address driver shortages in long-distance transport.
Source Attribution
Source: TIER IV
