Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, one of the busiest airports in the world, is experimenting with driverless vehicles to tow cargo containers in response to labor shortages as the number of tourists visiting Japan surges.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Toyota Industries have collaborated to develop this vehicle. It can lift up to six containers simultaneously, with a maximum towing capacity of 13 tons, traveling autonomously over a distance of approximately 2 kilometers from the aircraft to the airport terminal.
Driverless vehicle towing cargo containers at Haneda Airport. (Photo: japannews.yomiuri.co.jp).
This is a Level 4 driverless vehicle, meaning it does not require human interaction in certain settings, although a driver can still take control if desired.
The trial began on July 1 and marks the first such experiment at an airport in Japan, forming part of the government’s initiative to innovate the aviation transport sector. The companies aim to fully operationalize the vehicle by the end of 2025.
Japan is facing significant challenges as it seeks to double its tourist numbers to 60 million by 2030. With an aging population, many sectors in the world’s fourth-largest economy are experiencing labor shortages. In 2024, the country’s airports encountered issues with fuel supply, prompting the government to establish a task force last month.
After the government permitted Level 4 driverless vehicles to operate on public roads beginning in 2023, trials for autonomous vehicles have been launched in various regions across the country.
