Driverless Toyota Vehicles with Level 4 Autonomy Now Haul Baggage at Haneda Airport

Toyota Industries Corporation has begun testing Level 4 autonomous driving at one of the world’s largest airports, Haneda near Tokyo. By the end of 2025, the company will have deployed three electric towing tractors that will begin making regular trips, transporting containers loaded with baggage and cargo for domestic flights operated by All Nippon Airways (ANA).

The tractors travel 1.5 kilometers from the airport gates to a cargo shed, passing through two traffic signals. On their own, they can go at 15 km/h and tow 13 tons. When a human jumps in, they can reach speeds of up to 25 kilometers per hour and lift an amazing 27 tons. The real brains of the operation are the sensors all over the place, which are mounted on the tractors’ fenders, nose, and sides and are continually monitoring their surroundings and detecting any obstructions. This design allows the tractors to stay on track and avoid colliding with planes, other vehicles, or airport officials roaming around the tarmac.

A fleet management system is also in the mix, which assigns transportation jobs, determines who gets priority, and communicates with airport traffic lights. If something goes awry near an active runway or take-off zone, remote monitoring allows the team to intervene and retake control. This all began a few years ago with a partnership between Toyota Industries and ANA. They began trials in 2021, but the major push came in 2019, when they demonstrated Level 3 driving at a few Japanese airports. A big test in July of this year demonstrated that the tractors could safely complete Level 4 on this route, so they were given the all-ahead to go all out. This is a first for Level 4 autonomous technology in a limited airport environment in Japan.

The accomplishment at Haneda demonstrates how quickly autonomous technology can be integrated into real-world flight operations. These tractors stay on course, integrate seamlessly with current systems, and protect humans with all of the safety features in place.
[Source]