Isuzu intends to build a test track for autonomous commercial vehicles in Japan
The new infrastructure may be used for the development and validation of Level 4 autonomous trucks and buses. Operations are scheduled to begin in September 2027. “Autonomous driving solutions will be a future pillar of Isuzu’s business. The Isuzu Group will contribute to the advancement of autonomous driving technology through the operation of this test course", declared Ken Ueda, Senior Executive Officer, EVP of the Engineering Division.
Isuzu is about to buils a large-scale autonomous driving test facility at the company’s ground in Mukawa, Hokkaido, Japan. The new infrastructure may be used for the development and validation of Level 4 autonomous trucks and buses. Operations are scheduled to begin in September 2027.
According to the company, the facility is designed to reproduce a wide variety of driving environments that would otherwise be difficult or unsafe to test on public roads. It will include simulated urban streets, suburban roads, gradients, parking zones, highway entry and exit ramps, as well as ADAS testing areas.
Isuzu to invest around €43 million on autonomous vehicle development
The investment, valued at around 7.4 billion yen (about €43 million), will cover a 190,000 square meters site within the Isuzu Hokkaido Proving Ground (IHPG), a subsidiary of the Isuzu Group. Indeed, traffic infrastructure such as traffic lights, bus stops, dedicated bicycle lanes, railway crossings, V2X equipment, and electronic speed limit signage will allow engineers to simulate complex real-world traffic situations.
The test course will be the first in Japan to be established by a commercial vehicle manufacturer specifically for autonomous driving validation, Isuzu states. It has been designed to accommodate large-format vehicles, including articulated buses and truck trailers. Once completed, the test course will be opened to external companies and organizations, such as technology startups, component suppliers, and infrastructure providers.
The official statements
“Autonomous driving solutions will be a future pillar of Isuzu’s business. The Isuzu Group will contribute to the advancement of autonomous driving technology through the operation of this test course, pioneering a future of safe and secure mobility to help realize a society free of accidents”, stated Ken Ueda, Senior Executive Officer, EVP of the Engineering Division.
“This test course is essential infrastructure for the Isuzu Group as we strive to lead the world in autonomous driving for commercial vehicles. We hope that in a few years, it will become a hub for open innovation, a center for autonomous driving where various companies and organizations collaborate on research and development”, added Hiroshi Sato, Senior Executive Officer, VP of the Engineering Division.
