Macnica and Applied Electric Vehicles Ltd. have formed a strategic partnership to develop and commercialize autonomous vehicle solutions for logistics and industrial transport operations.
The collaboration will combine Applied EV’s Blanc Robot modular electric vehicle platform with Macnica’s everfleet remote fleet management system, aiming to support the deployment of Level 4 autonomous transport in industrial environments and last-mile logistics.
According to the companies, the initiative is intended to address labor shortages and rising operational costs by enabling purpose-built electric vehicles to operate autonomously in locations such as factories, warehouses and logistics hubs.
The Blanc Robot platform is a cabinless electric vehicle designed without conventional controls such as a steering wheel or pedals. The flatbed vehicle, developed jointly by Applied EV and Suzuki Motor, features a modular architecture that allows operators to adapt the vehicle’s cargo configuration and software systems for different industrial applications.
The platform is designed for Level 4 autonomous operation, meaning it can perform driving tasks without human intervention under defined operating conditions. It can operate in both indoor and outdoor environments, including factory facilities, warehouses and public roads where regulations permit.
Macnica will integrate its everfleet remote management system to monitor vehicle operations in real time. The system collects data from onboard sensors and external infrastructure such as traffic signals, allowing operators to track location, speed and battery levels while identifying potential operational issues.
The partners said the platform’s centralized architecture, supported by Applied EV’s Digital Backbone electrical system, enables remote supervision of multiple vehicles by a single operator across different locations.
The collaboration is expected to focus initially on last-mile logistics and automated transport between factories and warehouses, where autonomous vehicles could improve efficiency and reduce reliance on human drivers.
The companies said the partnership builds on Macnica’s previous experience with autonomous electric bus deployments and will expand its presence in logistics applications.
Applied EV has also attracted investment from Japan Post Capital, which the partners say will support the scaling of autonomous delivery and industrial transport solutions.
Future deployments are expected to expand beyond fixed routes to support broader logistics networks, with the aim of improving transport efficiency and addressing workforce shortages in the sector.
