Autonomous driving technology developer TIER IV has completed a proof-of-concept trial for long-haul autonomous trucking in Japan, in partnership with Yamato Transport and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC).
The trial was conducted between 16–20 February 2026 as part of a Japanese government initiative to explore the future deployment of autonomous freight transport. A semi-trailer truck equipped with Level 2+ automated driving technology transported customer freight between Yamato Transport’s Haneda Chronogate base in Tokyo and the Kansai Gateway base in Osaka.
During the trial, the vehicle completed two round trips on the approximately 500km route. Automated driving was used for around 100km of the journey on the Shin-Tomei Expressway between two service areas in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The tests evaluated vehicle performance, safety systems and operational processes associated with autonomous freight transport. Data was also collected on trailer movement, including sway and articulation behaviour, as well as lane-keeping accuracy and the duration of hands-off driving.
Insights from the trial will be used to further develop autonomous driving systems, with the long-term aim of introducing Level 4 autonomous trucks (where the vehicle can operate fully autonomously under specific conditions).
A driver involved in the trial said: “There was a bit of a learning curve at first, but once I understood how the system behaves, I felt at ease. Looking ahead, I hope autonomous trucks become a reliable partner for us, helping to maintain our hauling capacity.”
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