Isuzu is building Japan’s first autonomous driving test course for commercial vehicles in Hokkaido, advancing Level 4 trucks and buses.
Isuzu’s New Test Track Will Be Fully Operational by September 2027
Isuzu Motors Limited (Isuzu) has unveiled plans to construct Japan’s first dedicated autonomous driving test course, designed specifically for commercial vehicles.
The project, located at the Isuzu Hokkaido Proving Ground in Mukawa, Hokkaido, showcases the company’s commitment to accelerating the rollout of Level 4 autonomous trucks and buses, while positioning itself as a leader in next-generation mobility solutions.
The facility will span nearly 190,000 square metres and is intended to replicate a variety of real-world road conditions, from dense city streets to highway interchanges and rural stretches.
By incorporating traffic lights, electronic signage, bus stops, bicycle lanes, railway crossings, and vehicle-to-infrastrucutre communication systems, Isuzu aims to recreate the challenges of everyday driving in a safe, controlled environment. This will allow Isuzu and its partners to test advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and control systems under conditions too risky for public roads.
Partial use of the course is expected to begin in the summer of 2026, with full operations scheduled for September 2027. This initiative represents an investment of approximately ¥7.4 billion (around £37.2 million). A groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 27, attended by around 40 executives and shareholders.
Ken Ueda, Senior Executive Officer and head of Isuzu’s Engineering Division, described the project as a cornerstone of the company’s long-term strategy. “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 realise a society free of accidents,” he said.
His colleague, Hiroshi Sato, Vice President of the Engineering Division, emphasised the facility’s broader significance. “This test course is essential infrastructure for the Isuzu Group as we strive to lead the world in autonomous driving for commercial vehicles,” he remarked. “We hope that in a few years it will become a hub for open innovation, a centre for collaboration among companies and organisations pushing forward with autonomous technologies.”
More than a Test Course
Beyond its role in testing large vehicles, the course is also expected to serve as an innovation hub open to startups, suppliers, and infrastructure developers outside of the Isuzu Group. A dedicated research and maintenance facility will be built adjacent to the track, providing space for joint projects, data sharing, and cross-sector collaborations.
A dedicated research and maintenance facility will be built adjacent to the track, providing space for joint projects, data-sharing, and cross-sector collaboration. The site will also connect to other testing facilities in Japan and abroad via high-speed IT networks, enabling real-time sharing and analysis of test data.
The timing of the project itself reflects urgent challenges facing Japan’s transportation sector. With an ageing driver population and ongoing labour shortages in logistics, the need for autonomous solutions has never been greater.
Isuzu‘s mid-term business plan, ISUZU Transformation — Growth to 2030, has identified autonomous driving as a core domain for growth, with the company aiming to introduce a Level 4 commercial vehicle by 2027. In autonomous vehicle terms, a Level 4 vehicle means a vehicle that can fully drive itself without human intervention within defined conditions or areas, such as specific routes or geofenced zones.
In addition to product development, Isuzu intends for the new facility to help establish testing protocols, safety standards, and certification frameworks for autonomous driving in collaboration with governments, academic institutions, and industry peers. By doing so, the company hopes to contribute not only to its own future but also to the broader adoption of autonomous technologies across society.
