Key Facts
• June 5: Nissin Foods conducted its first self-driving truck test.
• Route: Ibaraki (Kanto Factory) to Osaka (Settsu Warehouse), covering 540 km.
• Cargo: 2,016 cases of Cup Noodle Big, each containing 12 units.
• Technology: Level 2 autonomous driving system developed by T2 Inc.
• Highway section: Ayase Smart Interchange to Suita Interchange operated autonomously.
• Travel time: Approximately 12 hours, including traffic delays.
• Results: No damage to cargo; successful transport with full truckload.
• Future goal: Level 4 autonomous transport by 2027 under specific conditions.
• Additional tests: June 6, from Shiga to Yokohama; no major issues reported.
• Broader applications: T2 also tested beer and dressing transport in separate trials.
Summary
Nissin Foods conducted its first self-driving truck trial to address driver shortages and improve logistics efficiency. The test involved transporting 2,016 cases of Cup Noodle Big from Ibaraki to Osaka, covering 540 km. Using a Level 2 autonomous driving system developed by T2 Inc., the truck operated autonomously on highways while a trained driver handled urban roads. Despite traffic delays, the journey was completed in 12 hours without cargo damage. Nissin plans to implement Level 4 autonomous transport by 2027. Additional tests, including transporting beer and dressing, highlight the potential of autonomous trucks in tackling the logistics industry’s labor challenges.
