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Robotruck, Developer of Autonomous Trucking Systems, Starts the First Autonomous Driving Demonstration with Semi-Trailer on the Public Road in Japan under the FY2025 MLIT Program, together with Toyota Tsusho, Otsuka Warehouse, Seino Transportation, and Fukuyama Transporting

2026.03.02

Robotruck Inc. (hereinafter “Robotruck”), a developer of autonomous driving system　for heavy-duty truck, has been advancing the development of semi-trailer type autonomous truck (hereinafter “autonomous semi-trailers”) as part of the Toyota Tsusho Consortium, which consists of Robotruck, Toyota Tsusho Corporation (hereinafter “Toyota Tsusho”), Otsuka Warehouse Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Otsuka Warehouse”), Seino Transportation Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Seino Transportation”), and Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Fukuyama Transporting”).

The consortium was selected for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) program titled “Demonstration Project for the Social Implementation of Autonomous Trucks for Trunk-Line Transportation.”

Based on the results achieved to date, the consortium will begin public-road demonstration testing using autonomous trucks starting in February, between two logistics hubs located near interchanges (ICs) in Shizuoka Prefecture and Aichi Prefecture.

Overview of the Project

Robotruck has initiated development of autonomous semi-trailer technology. As a result of these development efforts, the consortium will commence a public-road demonstration using autonomous trucks from February, 2026, with the primary objective of establishing safe and stable unmanned driving technology on highways.

The demonstration will be conducted between logistics hubs located near Shin-Shizuoka Interchange on the Shin-Tomei Expressway and Tomei-Miyoshi Interchange on the Tomei Expressway.

The semi-trailers used in this demonstration offer a larger cargo capacity than the van-type trucks commonly used in Japan and are well suited for trunk-line transportation that repeatedly shuttles between logistics hubs, as they do not require waiting for loading and unloading at departure and arrival points.

However, autonomous driving of semi-trailers presents significant technical challenges, including complex steering behavior caused by vehicle length and articulated structures, as well as stable control during lane changes.

Based on its accumulated autonomous driving technologies and newly developing algorithms tailored to the unique dynamics of semi-trailers, Robotruck aims to realize autonomous semi-trailer operations. This will enable the provision of a next-generation trunk-line transportation model capable of high-volume transport with fewer vehicles.

Future Initiatives

Robotruck plans to extend the driving distance of its demonstrations from Tokyo–Nagoya and to Tokyo–Osaka, with the goal of launching commercial operations in the latter half of the 2020s.

To accelerate social implementation, the company is also considering the use of IC-adjacent logistics facilities, including logistics facilities directly connected to highways.

Robotruck will work with relevant government agencies, logistics operators, and a wide range of partners—including real estate, telecommunications, insurance, leasing, and trading companies—to promote the formation of an ecosystem necessary for next-generation transportation infrastructure.

Roles of Each Company

Toyota Tsusho Corporation	Project management, business feasibility analysis
Otsuka Warehouse Co., Ltd.	Study for the realization of effective business models
Seino Transportation Co., Ltd.	Study for effective business models, provision of trailers for demonstration
Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd.	Study for the realization of effective business models
Robotruck Inc.	Autonomous system development, execution of driving demonstrations

About Robotruck Inc.

Company Name: Robotruck Inc.
Head Office: Odanaka Building, 1-15-11 Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
CEO: Yusuke Haga
Established: April 2024
Website: https://robottruck.jp/company.html
E-mail: info@robotruck.jp
LinkedIn: https://jp.linkedin.com/company/robotruck-inc

For Media Inquiries

Robotruck Inc.
E-mail：info@robotruck.jp