Get the latest tech news

310-mile automated cargo conveyor will replace 25,000 trucks in Japan

The Japanese government is planning to connect major cities with automated zero-emissions logistics links that can quietly and efficiently shift millions of tons of cargo, while getting tens of thousands of trucks off the road.

And one does have to wonder if autonomous electric trucks might be able to do the job without any of the infrastructure requirements – the project's target start date is 2034, and given the current state of driverless technology, it certainly seems very plausible that we'll have self-driving vehicles on the road in huge numbers by then. “[The project] will not only address the logistics crisis, but also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito. A graduate in Psychology, former business analyst and touring musician, he's covered just about everything for New Atlas, concentrating lately on clean energy, AI, humanoid robotics, next-gen aircraft, and the odd bit of music, motorcycles and automotive.

Get the Android app