Plus, a California-based specialist in AI-based autonomous trucking software, is working with Tier IV to develop and deploy autonomous trucks in Japan.

Tier IV, the force behind Autonomy 2.0 open-source software for autonomous driving, and Plus aim to deploy level-four autonomous trucks on Japan’s expressways.

The collaboration supports a Japanese government-led initiative to expedite the development of autonomous driving technologies, aimed at addressing the country’s driver shortage.

Plus and Tier IV will co-create customised autonomous driving software for the Japan market by integrating Plus’s end-to-end virtual driver AI model with Tier IV’s platform based on Autoware open-source software for autonomous driving.

“We’ve always believed that co-creation with our partners is the fastest way to bring the best autonomous driving systems to the world,” said Shinpei Kato, CEO of Tier IV (tier4.jp). “Plus is a global autonomous driving software company that’s already powering the level-four autonomous trucks of leading truck makers in the USA and Europe like Traton Group’s Scania, Man and International, Iveco Group, as well as Hyundai. This makes Plus the ideal partner to accelerate deployment of Autonomy 2.0-based autonomous driving technology in Japan, starting with autonomous trucks.”

David Liu, CEO of Plus (plus.ai), added: “Driverless trucks are necessary to address Japan’s acute truck driver shortage and aging population. We are excited to leverage our AV2.0 generative AI-based autonomous driving technology and expertise in deploying autonomous trucks with global truck makers to work with Tier IV to accelerate the rollout of driverless trucks in Japan.”

A study by the Nomura Research Institute projected a 36% shortfall in truck drivers in Japan by 2030. To address this, Plus and Tier IV are joining forces, leveraging Tier IV’s experience and track record in the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI) project to develop autonomous trucks based on vehicles from Japanese vehicle manufacturers. Through the collaboration, the companies want to pave the way for more innovative and efficient freight transport for the Japanese market.