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TIER IV, a leader in open-source autonomous driving software, has partnered with Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo’s largest taxi company, to launch a large-scale data collection project aimed at enhancing generative AI for autonomous driving. The initiative, which began in February 2025, will utilize taxis equipped with TIER IV’s Data Recording System (DRS) to improve safety, ride quality, and AI development for future self-driving vehicles.
Key Highlights:
- Large-scale driving data collected from taxis will be shared with industry partners to refine autonomous driving AI.
- The initiative aligns with Japan’s national push for Level 4 autonomous driving deployment.
- The project builds on a long-standing collaboration between Nihon Kotsu and TIER IV, dating back to 2018.
- TIER IV’s Co-MLOps platform will structure high-quality datasets to accelerate AI innovation.
- The data collection effort started with five taxis and will scale up to 20 vehicles.
- The initiative is part of a broader effort to develop and deploy robotaxi services in Tokyo.
Advancing Autonomous Driving with Scalable AI
Nihon Kotsu and TIER IV have been collaborating on autonomous driving data collection since 2018, formally cementing their partnership in July 2024. TIER IV has also spearheaded a robotaxi proof of concept, integrating autonomous technologies into vehicles and validating services such as ride-hailing apps, mapping technologies, and operational support centers. These projects have gained government backing, including subsidies from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, to promote digital transformation in mobility.
The latest initiative leverages TIER IV’s Co-MLOps platform, which enables efficient dataset sharing among autonomous driving developers. By utilizing taxis instead of test vehicles, the project aims to collect real-world driving data at scale. The first phase, which began in February 2025, involves five DRS-equipped taxis operating in Greater Tokyo, with expansion to 20 vehicles planned.
Future Plans: Robotaxi Services in Tokyo
Looking forward, TIER IV and Nihon Kotsu plan to deepen their collaboration by conducting pilot tests to advance robotaxi services across Japan. Using data from tests launched in November 2024, they will refine Level 4 autonomous vehicle capabilities and expand services regionally.
Initially, robotaxi services will operate under a mobility hub model, where safety drivers remain inside vehicles to ensure smooth operations. This approach will evaluate operational frameworks while enhancing regional accessibility. The findings from these tests will contribute to TIER IV’s reference design for autonomous systems, which aims to lower barriers to entry for new businesses while supporting Japan’s digital transformation efforts in mobility.
About TIER IV
TIER IV is a global leader in autonomous driving technology, pioneering Autoware, the first open-source software for self-driving systems. Through scalable platforms and integrated solutions spanning software development, vehicle manufacturing, and operations, TIER IV is shaping the future of intelligent mobility. As a founding member of the Autoware Foundation, the company remains committed to open-source innovation, enabling individuals and organizations to thrive in the evolving autonomous vehicle landscape.
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