– Companies plan to prepare a communications environment and conduct proving tests
with automated driving vehicles on SUBARU’s proving ground in Bifuka, Hokkaido –
SUBARU Corporation
SoftBank Corp.
Tokyo, November 7, 2019 – SUBARU Corporation (headquartered in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo; Tomomi Nakamura, Representative Director, President and CEO) and SoftBank Corp. (headquartered in Minato Ward, Tokyo; Ken Miyauchi, President & CEO) have started joint research on use cases that apply fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems and cellular V2X*1 (C-V2X) communication systems to help realize an automated driving society.
Aiming to eliminate traffic accident deaths*2 by 2030, SUBARU is conducting a program of research and development on connected car technologies under its original philosophy of “overall safety.” The purpose of this program is to further Subaru’s advanced safety technology developed with its EyeSight driver assist system.
SoftBank Corp. is pursuing the research and development of service solutions to deliver new experiences and value. As a part of this undertaking, it is examining Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and conducting proving tests for connected cars that utilize 5G systems and other leading-edge communication technologies.
In their joint research, the two companies plan to install SoftBank Corp.’s “ODEKAKE 5G” (transportable equipment enabling local provision of high-quality 5G radio waves) at the SUBARU Test & Development Center Bifuka Proving Ground (located in Bifuka-cho, Hokkaido) beginning this winter. This will be accompanied by the preparation of an environment for 5G networking with specifications meeting the non-stand-alone standard*3 and for C-V2X communications, which will be followed by proving tests. The proving test plans envision communications both between stations and vehicles and between vehicles, and the verification of technology related to driving assist and automated driving control, in various prospective use cases.
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| Vehicle for this Joint Research (SUBARU Impreza SPORT) |
*1 The communications standard established by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP, a group formulating standards for mobile communication systems). This technology is designed for communication, using mobile networks, that links vehicles with various elements, including other vehicles, transportation infrastructure, networks, and pedestrians.
*2 Traffic accident deaths of Subaru drivers/passengers and people including pedestrians/cyclists Subaru cars collide with.
*3 Specifications enabling the earliest provision of 5G performance and functions based on cooperation with the LTE standard.
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