Japan’s largest airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) has completed a 10-day trial operation of an autonomous driving bus at Tokyo Haneda Airport.
The project is a partnership between the airline, BYD Japan and Softbank’s BOLDLY Advanced Smart Mobility.
This BYD K9 bus can carry up to 57 people. During this trial operation, the airport staff will be shuttled around in near to Level 3 autonomous driving tests, collecting data to help the developers better improve the autonomous driving functions and improve the vehicle’s operating efficiency.
ANA plans to put the bus into trial operation later this year as part of a broader project to build a “Simple & Smart” airport by 2025.
“At ANA, we are constantly looking for ways to harness the latest technology to enhance operations and efficiency,” said Masaki Yokai, Senior Vice President of ANA. “In addition to marking a significant step forward for airports, fully electric autonomous buses will result in fewer emissions and decreased carbon footprints at airports. We are optimistic that these trials will give us the information we need to continue improving these technologies and will allow ANA to maintain its leadership in autonomous innovation.”
ANA began testing the tech back in 2018 and has previously piloted a similar vehicle at Kyushu Saga Airport.
