日本語 
Tier IV, Inc. and Shunan Bulk Terminal Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of Tokuyama Corporation, have begun collaborating at Tokuyama-Kudamatsu Port, with the cooperation of Tokuyama, to automate transportation operations using dump trucks with autonomous driving technology, aiming to achieve unmanned operation by 2028.
Ports in Japan’s coastal industrial zones not only support logistics with countries around the world, including Asia, but also play a crucial role as regional hub ports responsible for the collection and transportation of raw materials and energy resources that underpin the foundation of domestic manufacturing. Furthermore, the logistics industry faces an urgent need to address the shortage of drivers due to the aging and declining workforce and to build a sustainable transportation system. Against this backdrop, there is a demand for improved productivity in transportation operations in coastal and port areas through labor-saving measures and automation.
Tier IV is promoting the implementation of autonomous driving technology in public transportation as well as in special vehicles such as construction machinery, agricultural machinery, and factory transport vehicles, utilizing its open-source autonomous driving software “Autoware”. The Shunan Bulk Terminal is located at Tokuyama-Kudamatsu Port, an international bulk strategic port facing the Seto Inland Sea in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and is responsible for the unloading, storage, and shipment of energy resources (bulk cargo) such as coal and biomass. Tokuyama utilizes these energy resources to generate electricity and steam at its own power generation facilities, which it then uses in the production of chemicals and advanced electronic materials.
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This collaboration will focus on automating dump truck transportation from the storage area of Shunan Bulk Terminal to the private power generation facility area within Tokuyama’s Tokuyama Manufacturing Plant. By combining Tier IV’s expertise in autonomous driving technology development, demonstration, and operation with Shunan Bulk Terminal’s experience in dump truck transportation, and taking into account Tokuyama’s practical experience in receiving energy resources, the aim is to introduce autonomous driving technology to manned dump truck transportation. Furthermore, the project will aim to develop technologies and operations tailored to the actual facility environment, and promote development toward the realization of unmanned operation by 2028. In addition, the autonomous vehicles will use “Idemitsu Renewable Diesel (IRD),” a next-generation biofuel supplied by Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., one of the shareholders of Shunan Bulk Terminal, as fuel, thereby contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation operations.
Source: PRTimes
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