Japan Post Capital has invested in Australian autonomous vehicle developer Applied Electric Vehicles Ltd. as part of an effort to advance autonomous logistics and mobility solutions for regional communities in Japan, the companies said.
The investment will support the development and potential deployment of Applied EV’s Digital Backbone software platform and its Blanc Robot autonomous vehicle, technologies aimed at addressing labor shortages and improving operational efficiency in logistics and public services.
Applied EV’s Digital Backbone platform is designed as a centralized control architecture for Level 4 autonomous driving, enabling software-defined vehicle operations across multiple vehicle types. The system integrates core functions such as perception, decision-making and control into a unified framework that can be adapted for passenger, commercial and specialized vehicles.
The company’s Blanc Robot, a cabin-less and modular electric vehicle, is intended for applications including logistics, infrastructure inspection and public-sector services. The platform is designed to support rapid deployment of autonomous operations in controlled environments.
“Applied EV is deeply committed to delivering autonomous vehicle fleet solutions for businesses facing driver shortages and rising operational costs,” said Julian Broadbent, chief executive of Applied EV. “We are proud to partner with Japan Post Group and our technology collaborators to develop autonomous logistics solutions that support local communities.”
Shintaro Igata, senior manager in the investment division at Japan Post Capital, said the partnership aligns with the group’s broader focus on next-generation mobility. “The evolution of autonomous driving technology will fundamentally transform social infrastructure, from logistics to regional mobility and disaster response,” he said. “Through this investment, we aim to work closely with Applied EV to address regional challenges and build sustainable mobility solutions.”
Japan Post Capital’s backing reflects growing interest among Japanese logistics and infrastructure groups in autonomous technologies as the country faces demographic pressures and labor shortages, particularly in regional areas.