Japanese open-source autonomous driving (AD) technology firm Tier IV is helping local governments and transportation operators deliver autonomous bus services.

From initial setup to ongoing service operations, including hardware, software and regulatory compliance, its L4 Ride offering aims to address challenges such as driver shortages and regional development, facilitating the rollout of AD technologies throughout Japan.

The Japanese government aims to have autonomous vehicles running in more than 50 locations by 2025 and over 100 locations by 2027. Meticulous planning is required at each stage when launching AD services, from conceptual design, proof of concept (PoC) tests and verification procedures, through to considerations regarding technology and societal acceptance, and ultimately culminating in full-scale operation.

L4 Ride (solutions.tier4.jp/l4ride) provides end-to-end support, encompassing everything from risk assessments, 3D mapping, viability testing and initial PoC tests to hardware and software maintenance and updates during service operations, along with obtaining level-four certification.

As part of efforts to expand the deployment of AD services, Tier IV launched its Fanfare white-label vehicle offering in June 2023. This strategy aims to bolster the stability of AD service operations by combining the strengths of Fanfare and L4 Ride to streamline vehicle maintenance and updates to software and hardware.

Tier IV obtained level-four certification at a site in Tokyo in October 2023, marking a milestone in the spread of AD services. In the same year, Tier IV conducted PoC tests in various locations across Japan, including Shiojiri in Nagano Prefecture, Komatsu in Ishikawa Prefecture, Sado in Niigata Prefecture and Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture. Leveraging insights from certification processes and PoC tests, Tier IV will pursue level-four certification for roads used by pedestrians and vehicles, and facilitate nationwide commercialisation of these services.

Tier IV (tier4.jp) developed the Autoware (github.com/autowarefoundation/autoware) open-source autonomous driving software. The company is steering the development of safe and efficient autonomous driving technology, aiming to reimagine intelligent vehicles through the art of open source. A founding member of the Autoware Foundation (autoware.org), it conducts research and development in collaboration with partners worldwide, harnessing Autoware to accelerate the rollout of autonomous vehicles.