Robot maker · registered
TIER IV
TIER IV is the primary commercial steward of Autoware, the world's first open-source autonomous driving software stack built on Linux and ROS, developed by founder Dr. Shinpei Kato at Nagoya University and open-sourced in 2015. In December 2017, TIER IV performed Japan's first Level 4 self-driving test on public roads. The company's AI Pilot system received Japan's Level 4 certification for bus service in Nagano Prefecture in 2024, enabling operator-free bus routes. Autoware is used by 500+ companies and TIER IV has partnered with municipalities including Komatsu City for year-round autonomous bus service connecting Komatsu Station to Komatsu Airport.
Company overview
Identity and operating footprint
Robot models
Specifications remain vendor-claimed
AI Pilot
- Level 4 certified autonomous bus service system; Japan's first national Level 4 certification for bus operations without a human driver
Level 4: fully autonomous operation with no human driver required within the operational design domain, certified by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Claim source
Deployment log
Announced and cited only
Funding history
Publicly announced rounds
Strategic Investment
Round sourceDebt/Credit Facility
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (SMTB)
Round sourceSeries B
Round sourceSeries A
KDDI, Yamaha Motor, Sony Innovation Fund, Sompo Holdings
Round sourceCompany timeline
Milestones and announcements
Source ledger
7 unique public sources