Demonstration operation of an autonomous bus anticipating future Level 4 autonomous driving.

Starting from early November 2024, an autonomous Level 2 bus will be operated commercially around the Morinomiya area for approximately one year (authorization pending). The operation is scheduled to run until October 2025, coinciding with the opening period of “e METRO MOBILITY TOWN,” a future mobility experiential theme park established on the provisional use of the former Morinomiya vehicle factory site in Joto Ward, Osaka City.

This will be the first large-scale autonomous bus commercial operation conducted over such a long period—about one year—in the urban areas of Japan’s three major metropolitan regions.

With a view toward future Level 4 autonomous driving, efforts aim to enhance regional circulation, identify issues through accumulated operational experience, and examine the role of autonomous buses for social implementation.

Project Inauguration

Osaka Metro has previously conducted autonomous driving demonstration experiments mainly in the bay area of Osaka City. Going forward, for operating autonomous buses in urban areas, the service area has been designated around the Morinomiya area, connecting major visitor attractions such as Osaka Castle with transportation hubs like Morinomiya and Kyobashi.

Project Activities

Since 2019, Osaka Metro has been conducting demonstration experiments of autonomous buses within Osaka City. Based on the driving data and passenger feedback obtained through these trials, they have been formulating operation plans for the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai and other regions, as well as fine-tuning autonomous driving systems in preparation for future operations.

Previous Demonstration Experiments

Future Prospects for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai

At the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, autonomous buses with the same specifications as those operating in the Morinomiya area are scheduled to run on the Park & Ride (P&R) routes. In preparation for this, demonstration experiments of autonomous buses focused on visitor transportation along the P\&R routes have been underway since March 2024 in the Maishima and Yumeshima areas.

Efforts continue in the Morinomiya area and at the EXPO site to realize safe and smooth autonomous driving, ensuring that passengers can experience this future mobility with confidence.