Sakai Moving Center and Heart Moving Center Test Autonomous Trucks for Relocation Services

Autonomous Moving Trucks: A New Era in Relocation Services

In a groundbreaking initiative, Sakai Moving Center and Heart Moving Center, in collaboration with T2, are set to introduce autonomous trucks for transporting household goods. As conventional driver shortages loom, especially with the looming 2024 issue impacting the relocation industry, these companies are stepping up with innovative solutions. Since April, they have been testing the use of autonomous vehicles for moving services between the Kanto and Kansai regions, marking a first in the moving industry.

The relocation business traditionally experiences high demand during March and April due to job transfers and university admissions. The Japanese government has encouraged clients to stagger their moving schedules; however, the growing demand and the possibility of a driver shortage threaten to create challenges for consumers, leading to potential “moving refugees.”

To combat these issues, Sakai Moving Center has implemented various strategies. They are focused on enhancing their long-distance transportation capacities by developing driver training programs, improving working conditions, utilizing foreign workers, and shifting to railway transport solutions. In parallel, Heart Moving Center has introduced large trucks capable of significant loads and has established a network of direct sales offices for streamlined logistics, thereby reducing drivers' working hours.

At the heart of their newest initiative lies T2’s Level 4 autonomous trucks, slated for commercial operations by 2027. With an ambition to ensure stable transport capacities, both moving companies are leveraging autonomous vehicles to enhance service quality by permitting the automation of transport while allowing staff to focus on customer service and logistics.

The Operational Details

The initial tests utilizing Level 2 autonomous trucks have begun in sections of the Kanto-Kansai highways. By integrating the trucks into the existing moves, Sakai and Heart can now transport household goods efficiently, conducting operations during peak demand times, such as weekends.

- Sakai Moving Center: The first test run took place from April 4-5, 2023, with additional runs planned up to October. The trucks journey roundtrip from Tokyo Railgate WEST in Shinagawa to the Kobe Rokko branch in Kobe, covering approximately 520 km.

- Heart Moving Center: Their initial trial was conducted on May 23-24, covering routes from their Tokyo Center in Katsushika to the Osaka Center in Settsu, also spanning around 510 km.

The responsibilities for the operations are clearly divided: Sakai and Heart are in charge of selecting routes and arranging the cargo, while T2 provides the autonomous vehicles and manages data collection and technology validation.

Both companies will be transporting goods mainly from individual customers requiring relocation services.

Evaluation Metrics

The pilot project will assess:

- The effectiveness of operations integrated with autonomous driving.
- The efficiency of selected routes and estimated transport times.
- The performance of autonomous trucks during weekend operations, particularly the logistics of traffic management.

Future Steps and Innovations

The collaboration with T2 aims to reach a new threshold by 2027 with Level 4 autonomous trucks. This year, T2 successfully conducted Japan’s first daily round trip of autonomous trucks between Kanto and Kansai. To facilitate transitions between assessments, T2 is developing switch points where trucks will switch between autonomous and manual operation. These are strategically set in Kanagawa and Hyogo prefectures.

This initiative reflects a significant shift towards automation in the moving industry, aiming to solve current challenges while preparing for future needs. In the meantime, monitoring advancements through these pilot tests will not only enhance their operational efficiency but also improve overall quality of service for clients.