7-Eleven Japan to Pilot Self-Driving Delivery Trucks

A major 7-Eleven operator in Japan will begin testing autonomous delivery trucks this autumn. The parent company, Seven-Eleven Japan, announced the trial in partnership with a Chinese self-driving vehicle startup. The pilot program will run on public roads in Tokyo. The goal is to evaluate how the technology performs in complex urban traffic. This move aims to address a severe shortage of delivery drivers in Japan's logistics industry. The vehicles are "Level 4" autonomous trucks. This high level of automation means the system can handle all driving tasks without human intervention in specific areas. However, a safety driver will be present in the vehicle during testing as a precaution. If successful, the technology could help ensure stable delivery services. The company sees automation as a potential long-term solution to labor shortages and rising operational costs.