Isuzu Motors Ltd. has made an investment in the Israeli startup Foretellix, known for employing artificial intelligence to validate the safety of autonomous driving. This strategic move aims to expedite the advancement of unmanned driving technology in response to the escalating shortage of truck drivers in the industry.
This ongoing shortage is also a problem for other truck companies. Hino, for instance, has pointed out an array of challenges causing the industry to lose its manpower. These include issues such as drivers enduring extended work hours for small wages, aggravated by a surge in logistics demands.
Another challenge observed in numerous countries is the swift aging of truck drivers, paired with declining birth rates. Moreover, the occupation of being a truck driver is frequently undervalued and isn’t seen as a rewarding career.
Additionally, safety concerns loom large, encompassing road accidents and, in many nations, the security of drivers facing risks such as attacks, robberies, and hijackings. Faced with these problems, the trucking industry is seeing a lower turnout of people willing to enter a career like truck driving. Isuzu aims to address the current driver shortage by turning to autonomous driving technology, leading them to collaborate with Foretellix.
Foretellix utilizes AI to replicate challenging scenarios, including sudden appearances of pedestrians, which are impractical and dangerous to test in real-world conditions. By enhancing the efficiency and precision of these simulations, the company contributes to the overall safety of autonomous driving. Notably, Foretellix has secured investments from Woven Capital, a venture fund associated with Toyota Motor Corp., and the prominent American tech company Nvidia Corp, a company you’ve probably seen stamped on your PC.
Isuzu is currently undertaking demonstration experiments focused on Level 4 autonomous driving for trucks, wherein the system functions within specific conditions, particularly on highways. Recognizing the importance of maintaining elevated safety standards, Isuzu has concluded that collaboration with AI technology-focused companies is indispensable. The invested amount by Isuzu is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of Japanese Yen.
Looking outside of Isuzu, and at the trucking industry as a whole, there is substantial anticipation for the integration of autonomous driving in trucks. Isuzu's strategic plan involves a comprehensive investment, totaling a trillion JPY, in advanced technologies such as autonomous driving and electrification by the fiscal year 2030.
