Tier IV, a pioneer in open-source software for autonomous driving, has completed pilot tests of a robotaxi service in Tokyo as part of a phased approach to commercialisation.

The tests were conducted in Odaiba in November 2024 and Nishi-Shinjuku in December 2024.

These initiatives mark a step towards integrating robotaxi services into Japan’s transport network, following Tier IV’s selection in August 2024 for a project led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry, aimed at promoting digital transformation in the mobility sector.

The tests demonstrated the process of introducing robotaxis by adapting and expanding existing operational design domains (ODDs) to accommodate new traffic environments. In-depth technical verifications for the broader deployment of robotaxis were also conducted. Featuring Toyota JPN Taxi (global.toyota/en/jpntaxi) vehicles equipped with Tier IV’s autonomous driving system, these vehicles were navigated through approximately 500 complex scenarios in Odaiba and Nishi-Shinjuku, including executing right and left turns at intersections and avoiding parked vehicles.

A safety-first approach allowed operators to switch to manual control when scenarios exceeded the predefined ODDs as necessary. The outcomes confirmed the adaptability of ODDs in dense traffic conditions and identified critical technical problems that must be addressed to enable autonomous driving across a wide range of routes.

In Odaiba, passengers interacted with the robotaxi by using voice commands to set their destination, and the vehicle navigated routes around Tokyo Teleport Station. Each ride averaged a distance of approximately 3km, contributing to a total driving distance of around 354km. Post-ride surveys were conducted to gather user feedback and identify potential improvements to enhance service quality.

In the streets of Nishi-Shinjuku, where pedestrian and vehicle density is high, passengers used a ride-hailing app to choose from seven destinations, and the vehicle navigated along designated routes.

Tier IV also engaged with the Shinjuku Subcenter Area Environmental Improvement Committee and other stakeholders to discuss how to scale robotaxi operations in the area. This test was conducted with the support of a subsidy from the Shinjuku Station West Exit Area Parking Region Rules Operation Council. Each ride here averaged approximately 3km, with a total accumulated driving distance of around 622km.

Moving forward, Tier IV will integrate the findings from these tests into its reference design for robotaxis, which will be shared with players in the automotive industry. This should lower the entry barrier for developing vehicles suitable for robotaxis, enabling automakers to enter the market.

By 2027, Tier IV aims to establish a service model that facilitates the launch of robotaxi operations within three months in target regions by leveraging the reference design. The model has the potential to play an important role in advancing the nationwide deployment and integration of robotaxis across society.

Tier IV (tier4.jp) stands at the forefront of deep tech innovation, pioneering Autoware (github.com/autowarefoundation/autoware) open-source software for autonomous driving to empower intelligent vehicles worldwide. Harnessing Autoware, the Japanese company builds scalable platforms and delivers options across software development, vehicle manufacturing and service operations.