Toyota has deployed driverless electric towing tractors at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities—a technology that is typically rarely used on airport aprons.
The project was first announced in March 2021, with trial operations beginning in October of the same year. Development has continued under Toyota Industries Corporation in partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA), and the towing tractor also won an iF Design Award in 2022.
Starting in December 2025, three autonomous towing tractors will begin handling baggage and cargo for domestic flights, with another three scheduled to join the system by the end of March 2026. According to the company, this marks the first practical deployment of Level 4 autonomous driving within restricted areas of a Japanese airport. While Level 3 systems have been tested at several domestic airports since 2019, this represents a significant leap forward in both scope and capability.
These vehicles are designed to tow container dollies between aircraft and terminal buildings, using onboard systems for localization and obstacle detection. A remote monitoring system supports autonomous operation by handling more complex situations that may arise near active runways and busy airport traffic lanes.
In terms of appearance, the tractor remains close to earlier prototypes. The front bumper and side skirts have been slightly updated, but the overall structure is unchanged. A Toyota badge sits at the front alongside car-like headlights, and the cabin features seating for two.
Multiple sensors, including LiDAR, are installed on the fenders, the front of the vehicle, and along the sides, working together to give the system comprehensive awareness of its surroundings.
Toyota has not yet disclosed detailed specifications for the electric motor or battery system. What is known is that performance varies depending on whether the vehicle is operating autonomously or being driven by a human.
In autonomous mode, the tractor has a top speed of 15 km/h and can tow up to 13 tons. With a human driver, the maximum speed increases to 25 km/h and towing capacity rises to 27 tons.
The primary route covered by these vehicles is approximately 1.5 km long, connecting terminal areas with the cargo shed. Along the way, they pass two traffic signals, which the system is designed to detect and respond to in coordination with a new management platform.
Toyota and ANA have also introduced a Fleet Management System (FMS). This platform issues dispatch commands, assigns lanes for arrivals and departures, and integrates with the airfield’s traffic light system to ensure smoother vehicle movement and minimize delays.
Source: Carscoops
