How SoftBank Corp. is Enabling Safe Truck and Bus Platooning with 5G

In its research and development efforts to realize next-generation networks, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has been actively researching Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) technologies and working to implement them, as evidenced by a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) public transportation system initiative announced jointly with the West Japan Railway Company.

SoftBank’s efforts are aimed at providing a reliable communications environment that enables platooning – the practice of linking two or more vehicles that follow one another closely – for autonomous driving and BRT systems. Platooning is expected to contribute to Japan’s logistics industry as the country faces a growing shortage of truck and bus drivers.

In this deep dive article from SoftBank’s Research Institute of Advanced Technology, learn about SoftBank’s recent research progress and trials to implement truck platooning on highways and bus platooning in BRT systems with 5G-powered V2V communications.