eve autonomy launches Japan’s first unmanned transportation service using autonomous EV

Tokyo, September 1, 2021— eve autonomy (the company) is pleased to announce that it will accept pre-orders from today for the autonomous transportation service eve auto, which is in development for release next summer in association with Tier IV(Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi, President: Kazuya Takeda and Yamaha Motor (Headquarters: Iwata, Shizuoka, President: Yoshihiro Hidaka).

eve auto is an autonomous transport service developed to meet the needs of automated transport in confined spaces, including those required in indoor and outdoor environments. Based on feedback from operations at multiple factories, including Yamaha Motor’s Hamakita Plant, this service has been developed to meet the autonomous transportation needs of customers who require running performance, traction and loading capacity.

In line with this service rollout, the company has newly developed a compact EV with a view to mass production for autonomous transportation services. The project was developed by combining the technology of the open-source autonomous driving OS, Autoware, developed by Tier IV, and the highly reliable vehicle body development technology of Yamaha Motor. The unit is capable of handling certain kinds of steps and slopes, and is resilient to changes in the weather and the surrounding environment, while also having a towing capacity of up to 1,500kg, or a loading capacity of up to 300kg.
*Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation

This service is offered as a subscription-type contract with the aim of eliminating the main initial introduction hurdles of high initial costs and extended implementation processes that often hinder the adoption of automation. The company also provides fleet management system and after-sales support.

Due to the growing needs for high-mix low-volume production and chronic labor shortages in logistics at monozukuri-manufacturing sites, it can be difficult to maintain high efficiency in production systems using conventional equipment and operations that assume the availability of workers. By introducing these types of autonomous transportation services, the company can expect to achieve more efficient operations in the factory while reducing the number of accidents caused by human errors.

The service can be used in various places, including manufacturing sites and factories where production lines are subject to significant changes, plants that have transportation needs over large sites, and distribution bases that require automation of transportation, including tackling slopes, travelling between buildings, etc. In addition to commercial service, it can also be used as a research and development platform for autonomous driving technology.

While leveraging each other’s strengths, the three companies will provide automated transportation services that are easy for anyone to use under the concept of “Autonomous from today” that eve autonomy advocates.

“eve auto” being used in various places including tackling slopes, travelling between buildings, etc.

*1:Surveyed by eve autonomy
*2:Provided by Sompo Japan Insurance

Background

Due to the declining workforce and the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for automation has grown and the importance of initiatives for carbon neutrality has increased. When it comes to outdoor transportation, however, operation by “humans” continues. Outdoor transportation faces several challenges, including the difficulty of introducing conventional automated guided vehicles (AGVs); mixed environments shared with other vehicles such as trucks, passenger cars, and bicycles, as well as pedestrians; and the difficulty of modifying the operational routes which is required when using embedded electromagnetic induction wires. To address these issues technically, the company applied TIER IV’s commercial autonomous driving software platforms “Pilot.Auto” and “Web.Auto” to a compact EV tailored for autonomous transportation developed by Yamaha Motor, thereby creating the all-in-one autonomous transportation service “eve auto”.

Service Overview

“eve auto” can be deployed with no construction work. It is a transportation service for both indoor and outdoor environments that can tow up to 1,500 kilograms. Besides the fleet management system, additional services, including post-deployment support and vehicle maintenance, are also provided. Based on a land vehicle that can move on uneven outdoor environments and autonomous driving software optimized for use in low-speed automated transportation, it can withstand rain and wind or a rough road to a certain extent.

Services include the followings:

Autonomous EV

• Can tow up to 1,500 kilograms and load cargo up to 300 kilograms
• Compact autonomous EV “FG-01” based on a land vehicle developed by Yamaha Motor using ‘Pilot.Auto’^*3

Deployment support services

• High-precision 3D mapping for autonomous driving
• Support of operational design for automated transportation services

Operational support

• Operational control (mapping out a route), map editing and map registration services
• Provision of fleet management system optimized for on-site use and “eve auto DASH” application software that makes it easy for users to provide driving instructions

Maintenance services

• Periodic maintenance of vehicle
• Updating services for the autonomous driving software (Over-The-Air)

Dedicated insurance for the provider of the autonomous driving vehicle

• Dedicated insurance for the autonomous driving vehicle that covers bodily injury liability and property damage liability

Linkage with external systems

• Provision of the “eve auto CONNECT” near-field wireless communication system that allows linkage with existing infrastructure
• Linkage with the fleet management system via Web API

Officials’ Comments

Masanori Yonemitsu, Representative Director & CEO, eve autonomy
“eve auto’s autonomous transportation service has been established with the slogan ‘Automation, starting today. Bringing autonomy to every factory’. “eve auto” is already in operation at nine actual production sites and warehouses. “eve auto” is an unparalleled service that not only makes outdoor unmanned transportation possible but also connects fragmented sources of information, and transforms a factory into a safer and more productive environment, thereby changing how people work.”

Hajime Aota, Senior General Manager of New Venture Business Development & R&D Strategy Section, Technical Research & Development Center, Yamaha Motor
“I am very pleased to have been able to launch the eve auto service. It is an entirely new service in which reliability backed by vehicle and control technology and a proven track record that our group has cultivated are integrated with TIER IV’s fast-paced and cutting-edge technology. We will provide efficient solutions not only to production sites like ours but to other job sites as well.”

Shinpei Kato, Founder & CTO, TIER IV
“An automated transportation solution with the slogan ‘Bringing autonomy to every factory’ has finally been commercialized. We are ready to take a new step forward toward creating social value through autonomous driving technology. This service offered by eve autonomy is the first ever test case of a company leveraging a third party’s DevOps software platform. TIER IV as a whole will continue to support eve autonomy’s leading-edge initiatives.”

About eve autonomy

Representative : Masanori Yonemitsu, Representative Director & CEO
Headquarters : 3001-10Kuno,Fukuroi-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Capital : 200 million yen (capital reserve included)
Main business activities : Development, sales, leasing and renting of autonomous driving vehicles; provision of autonomous transportation solutions; and various support and maintenance services

Business Inquires

eve autonomy

CONTACT

Media Contact

• Yamaha Motor
  PR Group, Corporate Communication Division
  Tel: Headquarters: +81 538 32 1145 / Tokyo Office: +81 3 5220 7211
• Tier IV
  Email: pr@tier4.jp