A New Era of Logistics: Earth Pharmaceutical's MONDAMIN Transportation Experiment with Autonomous Trucks

Transforming Logistics with Autonomous Vehicles

In an ambitious collaborative venture, Earth Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, along with Suzuyo Co., Ltd. from Shizuoka and T2, also headquartered in Chiyoda, has conducted a significant transportation trial. This experiment, held from July 21 to 23, 2026, made use of both traditional and Level 2 autonomous trucks to transport Earth Pharma's mouthwash product, MONDAMIN, over a stretch between Ibaraki and Hyogo Prefectures.

The project targeted a journey of 680 km between the Kanto warehouse in Ibaraki and the Akō factory in Hyogo, leveraging both Suzuyo's trucks and T2's autonomous trucks for the mid-way transportation. With the aim of enhancing logistical efficiency, the trial analyzed whether a round-trip operation per day was feasible for the segment managed by T2, which included the journey from Kanagawa to Hyogo.

Addressing Driver Shortage Challenges

Earth Pharmaceutical is subject to the pressing issue of truck driver shortages, a concern exacerbated by the rise in demand for various daily-use products and seasonal fluctuations. To mitigate these challenges, the company has implemented several strategies, including improving cargo capacity through larger vehicles, utilizing joint delivery systems with other companies, and reducing waiting times by integrating a bulk reservation system for loading bays.

Suzuyo, on the other hand, is set to commence regular commercial operations utilizing T2’s Level 2 autonomous trucks from November 2025. This service will transport sake products from the renowned Gekkeikan Brewery in Kyoto to regions in Kanagawa. With the current experiment focusing on different types of cargo, both companies aim to broaden the application range for autonomous vehicles in the logistics sector.

Operational Details of the Experiment

The experiment engaged various stages of transportation. Starting from the Earth Pharmaceutical warehouse in Ibaraki, the MONDAMIN product was loaded onto Suzuyo's traditional trucks for approximately 120 km to T2's self-owned yard. From there, T2's Level 2 autonomous trucks took over, navigating towards “Transgate Ayase” and “Transgate Kobe West