Sumitomo Corporation, Nagoya University's Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, PotStill and Sharp Corporation (hereafter "Sharp") have, in cooperation with the NPO Support and Development for Safe Driving by the Elderly and the Yao Driving School in Osaka Prefecture, developed a driving assistance solution*1 for elderly drivers using Sharp's mobile robot, "RoBoHoN." This solution will be demonstrated on public roads in parts of Osaka Prefecture on January 23 and 28, 2025. Additionally, starting in April of the same year, demonstrations will be expanded to public roads nationwide. Following these demonstrations, the pre-service launch is planned for FY2025, with commercialization targeted for FY2026.

With traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers becoming a serious social issue in Japan’s super-aging society, developing systems to support safe driving has become an increasingly pressing matter. In regions where driving is indispensable, measures to maintain safe transportation options for the elderly are also necessary. Since 2016, the Nagoya University's Institutes of Innovation for Future Society has been conducting ongoing research on driving assistance system, Driver Agent, as part of the Nagoya University COI Project*2. Through experiments, they examined the effects of raising self-awareness of dangerous driving behaviors, evaluating driver's actions and providing objective feedback and utilizing the "passenger effect" (a reduction in accident rates when the driver is accompanied by a passenger)*3.

To accelerate practical applications stemming from findings of the Driver Agent research, the four parties teamed up to demonstrate the benefits of improved driving on public roads in Osaka Prefecture in January 2025, targeting elderly drivers. Then, from April to May 2025, new demonstrations utilizing the improved driver agent system will be conducted nationwide with RoBoHoN owners.

The purpose of this demonstration experiment is to provide both support during driving (e.g. reminders and suggestions for safe driving) through RoBoHoN, alongside post-driving support (e.g. driving evaluation and advice). This combination is intended to raise drivers’ awareness of dangerous behaviors, encourage safe driving and spot changes in driving habits. With RoBoHoN accompanying the driver, the system is expected to achieve greater acceptance of driving evaluation and advice compared to traditional voice navigation systems, as well as the "passenger effect" where the presence of a passenger can help reduce accidents.

Demonstration Overview

(1) Preliminary Demonstration
Dates:	January 23 (including experience sessions for mass media) and 28, 2025
Participants:	18 elderly drivers
Location:	Designated routes in Yao City, Osaka (around Yao Driving School)
(2) Nationwide Demonstration
Dates:	April 1 – May 31, 2025 (two months)
Participants:	20 elderly drivers
Location:	Public roads nationwide (no designated routes)

The four parties aim to apply the insights gained from these demonstrations to the development of a "driving assistance solution" that promotes safer driving. They plan to begin offering a pre-service in FY2025 and to commercialize the solution in FY2026.