MHI Machinery Systems to Begin Autonomous Vehicle Transport Robot Demonstrations in Okinawa!

MHI Machinery Systems, Ltd. (MHI-MS), a key subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, is set to launch an advanced field demonstration of its autonomous vehicle transport robots at Nakagusuku Port in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture, beginning December 1, 2025. This initiative, supported through Okinawa Prefecture’s Testbed Support Subsidy Program, marks a significant step toward transforming finished vehicle logistics (FVL) with automation and sustainable mobility technologies.

The upcoming demonstration will evaluate the performance, adaptability, and operational efficiency of autonomous robots engineered to transport finished vehicles within large storage yards and logistics hubs. Unlike traditional automated systems, these robots do not require vehicles to be equipped with autonomous driving capabilities or connectivity features. This means both new and used cars can be moved seamlessly without physical modification or infrastructure overhaul. Such versatility positions the technology as an ideal solution for motor pools, automobile production plants, rental car yards, and expansive parking facilities at airports, malls, and entertainment destinations.

Since 2021, MHI-MS has collaborated with France-based Stanley Robotics to develop these next-generation robotic systems. Their joint efforts have resulted in the registration of seven domestic patents as of October 2025, highlighting steady innovation in autonomous mobility. By March 2025, the partners achieved a major breakthrough, completing a customizable operating system tailored specifically for Japan’s unique environmental and logistical requirements—paving the way for real-world deployment.

Okinawa Prefecture was deliberately chosen as the test site due to its unique transportation ecosystem. With private car ownership per capita exceeding the national average and an economy heavily dependent on tourism, used vehicles and rental cars play an essential role in everyday operations. This places immense pressure on logistics facilities, which must efficiently manage high volumes of incoming and outgoing vehicles. The region’s concentrated use of rental cars, which are frequently refreshed and resold as used vehicles, reinforces the need for fast, reliable, and automated handling solutions.

The Nakagusuku Port Motor Pool, in particular, serves as a crucial hub for the temporary storage and export of used vehicles. However, the facility faces challenges such as workforce shortages, an aging labor population, and strenuous outdoor working conditions. As digital transformation (DX) becomes increasingly important, automating vehicle movement and integrating digital systems for real-time vehicle tracking are seen as essential steps to boost productivity, improve safety, and reduce operational strain.

By deploying autonomous vehicle transport robots, MHI-MS aims to demonstrate how automation can address these structural challenges, reduce labor dependency, and contribute to sustainable logistics practices. The results of this demonstration will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of vehicle logistics not only in Okinawa but across Japan’s broader automotive, rental, and export industries.

This initiative reflects MHI-MS’s commitment to driving innovation in mobility, strengthening Japan’s competitive edge in robotics, and supporting regional efforts to modernize essential logistics infrastructure.