KANEMATSU CORPORATION has begun collaborating with Sompo Japan and South Korea’s Autonomous A2Z in the autonomous driving field, with the aim of implementing regional public transportation services in Japan. As their first initiative, the companies will jointly advance a self-driving bus demonstration project in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture.
KANEMATSU CORPORATION has agreed to a comprehensive collaboration with Sompo Japan and Autonomous A2Z Corporation (A2Z) aimed at demonstrating autonomous mobility services in Japan and putting them into practical use. The central focus of the project is to combine the expertise of the 3 companies to verify a stable operating structure and build an ecosystem that consistently provides services from vehicle deployment through risk management and insurance coverage.
As the first step in the collaboration, KANEMATSU CORPORATION was selected as the contractor for the Self-Driving Bus Demonstration Operation Project in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, and will advance the project together with Sompo Japan and A2Z. Through demonstration operations in the Kinosaki Onsen area, the companies aim to collect driving data and accumulate operational expertise.
Under the division of roles, KANEMATSU CORPORATION will oversee the project, coordinate with local governments, introduce and supply vehicles in Japan, establish maintenance arrangements, and verify business models suited to regional needs. Sompo Japan will provide risk management functions, including support for establishing emergency response structures and dedicated insurance for autonomous driving. A2Z will provide autonomous driving software and fleet control systems, and will handle vehicle modifications and system tuning to comply with Japan’s road environment and regulations.
As a future initiative, the 3 companies plan to use demonstration data and expertise from Toyooka to make joint proposals to local governments and transportation operators nationwide. With a view to realizing Level 4 autonomous driving services in the future, they aim to help resolve regional transportation challenges and promote sustainable mobility services.