Sompo Japan Insurance (SOMPO), Kanematsu and South Korea's A2Z have begun collaborating in the autonomous driving field. Through demonstration operations in the Kinosaki Onsen area of Toyooka, the 3 companies will verify safety measures and comprehensive solutions.
As the first initiative under the collaboration, the 3 companies will participate in the Toyooka City Autonomous Bus Demonstration Operation Project, for which Kanematsu was selected as the contracted operator. Through demonstration operations in the Kinosaki Onsen area, they will verify the systems and solutions required for actual operation.
Against a backdrop of challenges including driver shortages at local governments and reductions in route bus services, the 3 companies aim to create an environment for introducing autonomous mobility services by combining their respective technologies and services. SOMPO will use SOMPO ALCS, which supports implementation through operation, and will be responsible for risk assessments, providing insurance specifically for autonomous driving and supporting the development of a maintenance network.
Kanematsu will oversee the demonstration and implementation project as a whole and coordinate with local authorities and other relevant organizations. A2Z will be responsible for introducing its ROii autonomous vehicle in Japan, providing software and control systems, and analyzing driving data.
The 3 companies aim to establish an integrated system covering vehicle procurement, driving safety management and insurance coverage, and plan to roll out the data and expertise gained in Toyooka to local governments and transportation operators nationwide. Going forward, they will pursue the early realization of Level 4 autonomous driving services to address transportation deserts in regional areas.