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TIER IV, a leader in autonomous driving technology, has successfully completed pilot tests for a robotaxi service in Tokyo, marking a pivotal move toward commercialization as of February 18, 2025. Conducted in Odaiba and Nishi-Shinjuku during late 2024, these trials showcase the potential for integrating self-driving taxis into Japan’s transportation infrastructure. Supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the tests highlight TIER IV’s efforts to refine operational design domains (ODDs) and address technical hurdles, paving the way for broader adoption of autonomous mobility solutions.
Key Highlights:
- Testing Locations and Scale: The pilot spanned two key Tokyo districts—Odaiba in November 2024 and Nishi-Shinjuku in December 2024—covering a combined distance of 976 km across hundreds of rides.
- Complex Scenarios Managed: Vehicles navigated 500 unique scenarios, including turns at intersections and obstacle avoidance, demonstrating adaptability in urban settings.
- User Interaction Features: Passengers used voice commands in Odaiba and a ride-hailing app in Nishi-Shinjuku, offering practical insights into service usability.
- Collaborative Efforts: TIER IV partnered with local stakeholders, such as the Shinjuku Subcenter Area Environmental Improvement Committee, to plan scalable operations.
Following its selection in August 2024 for a government-backed digital transformation project, TIER IV conducted these pilot tests to evaluate the feasibility of robotaxi services in real-world conditions. The trials utilized JPN TAXI vehicles equipped with TIER IV’s proprietary autonomous driving system, built on its open-source platform, Autoware. In Odaiba, the focus was on user experience, with passengers employing voice commands to set destinations near Tokyo Teleport Station. Each trip averaged 3 km, accumulating a total of 354 km, and post-ride surveys provided valuable feedback for refining the service.
In Nishi-Shinjuku, a bustling urban hub, the tests adapted to higher pedestrian and vehicle density. Here, passengers selected from seven destinations via a ride-hailing app, with each ride also averaging 3 km and contributing to a total of 622 km. A safety-first protocol allowed manual overrides when conditions exceeded predefined ODDs, ensuring reliability while exposing areas for technical improvement. Collaboration with local entities, including support from the Shinjuku Station West Exit Area Parking Region Rules Operation Council, underscored the community engagement critical for scaling operations.
The results affirmed the flexibility of TIER IV’s ODDs in challenging traffic environments, while pinpointing challenges like enhancing system resilience across diverse routes. Looking ahead, TIER IV plans to incorporate these insights into a reference design for robotaxis, set for release to industry partners. This initiative aims to simplify vehicle development for automakers, reducing barriers to market entry. By 2027, the company targets a service model enabling regions to launch robotaxi operations within three months, potentially transforming transportation nationwide.
TIER IV’s leadership in autonomous driving stems from its creation of Autoware, the world’s first open-source software for self-driving vehicles. As a founding member of the Autoware Foundation, the company drives innovation by offering scalable platforms and comprehensive solutions. These efforts reflect a commitment to advancing intelligent transportation through collaboration and open-source technology, positioning TIER IV as a key player in shaping the future of mobility.
With these pilot tests, TIER IV not only demonstrates technical prowess but also sets a foundation for practical, widespread robotaxi integration. The combination of rigorous testing, stakeholder collaboration, and a forward-looking design strategy positions the company to influence the automotive industry significantly in the coming years.
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