AISAN Technology Wins Support Role in Karuizawa Level 4 Autonomous Bus Project

AISAN Technology Joins Karuizawa Autonomous Bus Project

On September 2, AISAN Technology Co., Ltd. announced that it has been contracted to support an autonomous bus operation project in Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture. The initiative was selected as a project by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and is being conducted by Karuizawa Town, East Japan Railway Company, and Seibu Holdings Inc. The project aims to address challenges facing local public transportation through technical verification and operational studies focused on the potential social implementation of Level 4 autonomous driving, which enables fully autonomous operation under specific conditions.

AISAN and A-Drive Define Technical Responsibilities

AISAN Technology Co., Ltd. is collaborating with its group company, A-Drive Inc., based in Kohoku Ward, Yokohama City, to support the project. A-Drive will oversee the overall implementation and project verification, while AISAN Technology will create and provide high-precision 3D map data and deliver technical support. These responsibilities position the two companies to contribute both operational and mapping expertise to the autonomous driving verification effort, with the work designed to support assessment of technologies and operating practices needed for future Level 4 autonomous transportation services.

Karuizawa Operations Scheduled Through December

The autonomous bus operations are scheduled to run from September 6 through December 15 in Karuizawa Town. The project is intended to generate practical knowledge through technical verification and operational studies while examining the feasibility of introducing Level 4 autonomous driving into local public transportation. By combining operational implementation, project verification, and high-precision 3D mapping capabilities, the initiative will examine the requirements for autonomous bus deployment in a real-world local transportation environment and contribute to broader efforts to address public transportation challenges in Nagano Prefecture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What role will AISAN Technology play in the Karuizawa autonomous bus project?
AISAN Technology will create and provide high-precision 3D map data and offer technical support for the autonomous bus operation project in Karuizawa Town. The company is working with its group company, A-Drive Inc., which will oversee overall implementation and project verification. The initiative, selected by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, will conduct technical verification and operational studies toward potential social implementation of Level 4 autonomous driving. Operations are scheduled from September 6 to December 15, supporting evaluation of autonomous transportation under specific conditions.