Mines (Patrol Vehicles, Supplies Carriers)
In large-scale mines covering a wide area, with many pieces of heavy machinery, it is a serious responsibility for operators to prevent accidents involving personnel. It is therefore important to work to improve the safety and efficiency of dump trucks. In addition, by automating patrol vehicles traveling around the mine, operators can expect to reduce the risk of accidents that occur when transporting replacement parts and supplies.
Conceptual image of the application of autonomous driving for mining patrol vehicles
Factories
The introduction of autonomous vehicles is expected to be effective in conveyance / transportation using trucks at factories covering wide areas, such as those producing cars, steel and other heavy industries. For example, in addition to being a viable measure against labor shortages for truck drivers, it is also effective for simple round-trip work of only a few hundred meters between facilities on the premises. Autonomous driving suitable for outdoor mobility on the premises is a new solution to areas that cannot be covered by AGVs.
※AGV：Automatic Guided Vehicle
Conceptual image of conveyance between factories and warehouses by autonomous driving trucks
Ports
Truck transportation between port quays and container yards can be expected to see various benefits from the introduction of autonomous driving vehicles. For example, they will reduce the risk of occupational accidents for workers in areas where many pieces of heavy machinery operate, improve price competitiveness by reducing labor costs, and prevent problems such as equipment and vehicle damage due to misconduct and operating errors. In particular, the main motivation for considering automation is the labor shortage of truck drivers at ports.
Conceptual image of application of autonomous driving at ports
Transport Operators
In the transportation field, operators can expect to see benefits from introducing automation with BRT. Due to changes in social structure caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, the number of rail and bus users is decreasing. Unmanned BRT systems with smaller capital investment than railways that can dynamically dispatch and operate based on demand may be a means of supporting future public transportation.
※BRT：Bus Rapid Transit
Conceptual image of application of autonomous driving in BRT
