In a domestic first, a new type of EV bus called ‘EVO’ with Level 4 autonomous driving capability and no driver on board has commenced regular operations in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

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Mitsuba Community Co., Ltd. and Maknica Co., Ltd. have partnered to commence regular operations of the GAUSSIN MACNICA MOBILITY (formerly NAVYA) autonomous driving EV bus ‘EVO’ in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture, under specific environmental conditions, with Level 4 autonomous driving capability and no driver on board.

Those who have ridden the ‘EVO’ have expressed astonishment at its smooth navigation through S-shaped curves without operator intervention and its smooth braking. For the time being, operations will be conducted at ‘Level 2,’ with an operator on board to assist in driving, and Mitsuba Community will be responsible for operator duties.

Yasutaka Hamaji, President and Executive Officer of Mitsuba Community Co., Ltd., provided the following comment:

‘In recent years, there has been a serious shortage of bus drivers nationwide due to the aging population of drivers and the ‘2024 problem,’ and expectations are high for autonomous driving as a solution. We aim to leverage our expertise in operation management services to contribute to the transportation needs of the community and to the creation of a sustainable society through autonomous driving operations.

Currently, we are cooperating in autonomous driving demonstration experiments and long-term operations across the country, and we aim to establish facilities for centralized management of remote monitoring of autonomous driving vehicles in the future.’


Operating Period: From February 16, 2024, to regular operations
Autonomous Driving Vehicle: Autonomous driving EV bus ‘EVO’
‘EVO’: Electric Vehicle (EV) specification, equipped with autonomous driving system, a new shuttle bus compatible with ‘Level 4’ fully unmanned operation under specific environmental conditions. Actual operation will be conducted at ‘Level 2’ for the time being.
Operating speed: 18 kilometers per hour. The capacity is 10 passengers, with one operator on board.
Route: Connects the city hall and commercial facilities in the eastern district.

Source:https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000407.000045351.html