Hyper Digital Twins Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "HDT"), in joint collaboration with Kajima Corporation (hereinafter "Kajima"), Haneda Mirai Development Co., Ltd., and Shibaura Institute of Technology, has conducted a demonstration experiment utilizing real-time Digital Twins to autonomously control robots crossing roads. The experiment took place at "HANEDA INNOVATION CITY®" (hereinafter "HICity®"), a large-scale commercial complex adjacent to Haneda Airport. Through this demonstration, it was confirmed that collisions could be prevented by detecting vehicles and pedestrians approaching from distant locations or blind spots, automatically stopping robots at safe positions.This trial integrated Kajima's proprietary robot fleet management system—which coordinates and controls multiple robots—with HDT's proprietary technology that extracts spatial data required for autonomous robot control from a real-time Digital Twin. This enables autonomous control to prevent collisions by identifying vehicles and people beyond the line-of-sight and detection range of onboard robot cameras and sensors.Moving forward, HDT will collaborate with each partner to continue testing at HICity® as a testbed, expanding functionality and enhancing safety to achieve the real-world deployment of autonomous robot control.Background of the Demonstration ExperimentIn the smart cities anticipated in the near future, utilizing multiple robots for security, transport, and delivery is increasingly required to address the declining working population. However, cameras and sensors mounted on individual robots struggle to detect moving vehicles and pedestrians approaching from distant locations or blind spots, making collision avoidance a major operational challenge in areas with heavy vehicle and foot traffic.To address this challenge, as part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's (MLIT) Smart City Implementation Support Project, the four entities conducted demonstration experiments from October 2023 to February 2024 regarding the autonomous control of robots during road crossings.Key Features and Overview of Autonomous Robot Control at Road CrossingsIn this demonstration, spatial data extracted from a real-time Digital Twin built using HDT's technology was transmitted to Kajima's robot fleet management system to autonomously control robots crossing roads. Key features include:1. Real-Time Utilization of Digital TwinDynamic data of vehicles, pedestrians, and surrounding objects captured by multiple LiDARs installed on buildings is analyzed by edge computers to build a Digital Twin in real time. Spatial information necessary for autonomous robot control is then extracted from the Digital Twin instantly.2. Automated 3D Map Generation and UpdatingBased on the extracted spatial data, 3D maps of unfamiliar environments are generated automatically, and existing maps are continuously updated as surroundings change, syncing with robots immediately.3. Autonomous Robot Control Driven by Full Spatial AwarenessBy leveraging spatial intelligence from the Digital Twin alongside automatically updated 3D maps, robots can navigate with full spatial awareness—including areas outside the range of their onboard sensors. This enables safe and smooth autonomous control, recognizing approaching vehicles and pedestrians from distant or obstructed views to prevent collisions before they occur.Future DevelopmentsTo achieve the real-world implementation of autonomous robot control at road crossings, HDT will continue enhancing functionality and delivering safer services—with a view toward expanding beyond HICity® to other large-scale commercial and industrial facilities.Kajima Corporation Press Release: https://www.kajima.co.jp/news/press/202501/10a1-j.htmHANEDA INNOVATION CITY Demonstration Database:https://journal-by-hic.com/2022