Isuzu to launch Japan's first test course for self-driving trucks, buses

New dedicated autonomous driving test course by Isuzu to fully open by Sept 2027

Isuzu Motors Limited is embracing the prominence (and importance) of autonomous commercial vehicles, particularly trucks & buses, with a dedicated test course for self-driving vehicles.

The autonomous driving test course, which is set to begin full-scale operations in September 2027, will be established within the grounds of Isuzu Hokkaido Proving Ground Co. Ltd. (IHPG) in Mukawa, Hokkaido. The new test course will be developed on approximately 190,000 square meters of land within the grounds of IHPG and will feature multiple testing areas.

These include simulated urban streets, highway merging & exiting sections, and rural roads. The areas will also be equipped with various traffic infrastructure to make it possible to safely reproduce complex driving scenarios that are difficult to conduct on public roads. More importantly, this will enable the verification & validation of autonomous driving technologies.

Once fully open, the test course will serve as Japan's first dedicated autonomous driving test course established by a commercial vehicle manufacturer. It's specifically designed to accommodate large-class vehicles, including long, heavy vehicles, such as articulated buses and truck trailers.

The course will also serve as a core hub for the development of autonomous driving technologies in the Isuzu Group. These include comprehensive testing of sensors, AI models, and control technologies for autonomous vehicles. This will allow the course to be connected to both domestic and overseas facilities via high-speed IT networks, allowing real-time sharing and utilization of test data.

There will also be a new test & research facility that will be constructed adjacent to the test course, with plans to provide a maintenance area for autonomous vehicles, as well as workspaces for collaboration partners. The test course will function as an open innovation hub to promote research and the development of autonomous driving technologies, as well as real-world testing through collaboration with startups, along with other public and private partners.

“Autonomous driving solutions will be a future pillar of Isuzu's business. The Isuzu Group will contribute to the advancement of autonomous driving technology through the operation of this test course, pioneering a future of safe and secure mobility to help realize a society free of accidents,” said Ken Ueda, Senior Executive Officer, EVP of the Engineering Division at Isuzu Motors Limited.

Partial use of the test course will begin in the summer of 2026, while full-scale operations are slated to start in September 2027.