Tier IV, which provides open-source software for autonomous driving, has unveiled its latest prototype, a robotaxi designed to operate without a steering wheel or pedals. The prototype was first presented at an event organized by Kanagawa Prefecture, Sagamihara and Central Japan Railway on March 22.
Tier IV is sharing the design of the autonomous driving system – including vehicle specifications and software architecture – making it easier for companies in the automotive industry to enter the robotaxi market. Part of efforts to encourage a Japan-led standard for robotaxis, this prototype is poised to strengthen the nation’s position in the global robotaxi sector. Geared toward integrating robotaxi services into Japan’s transportation network, the initiative follows Tier IV’s selection in August 2024 for a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry project aimed at promoting digital transformation in the mobility sector.
Using an existing electric vehicle platform, the prototype features an exterior and interior optimized for robotaxi applications, with a sensor configuration fine-tuned for Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving. Tier IV has also developed a conversational AI agent powered by a large language model, enabling intuitive voice interactions for tasks such as destination selection to enhance the ride experience.
In addition to this prototype, Tier IV is running a robotaxi trial in Tokyo and collaborating with a taxi operator on a data collection project to enhance autonomous driving AI.