TIER IV, Inc.

TIER IV, Inc. is a Japanese deep-tech startup specializing in the development of autonomous driving systems and platforms. Founded in December 2015 by Dr. Shinpei Kato, the company's mission is to "Co-create value, disruptively" by pioneering new methodologies in autonomous driving technology. Its vision, "The Art of Open Source, Reimagine Intelligent Vehicles," focuses on providing open access to autonomous driving technology to foster a sustainable ecosystem. TIER IV aims to make intelligent vehicles affordable and accessible to everyone. The company's headquarters are located in Nagoya, Japan, with additional offices in Tokyo and Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, California).

TIER IV is the creator of Autoware, recognized as the world's first open-source software for autonomous driving. The company offers full-stack solutions for the commercialization of intelligent vehicles, built upon the Autoware-defined Autonomous Driving Kit (ADK). Its core product offerings include Pilot.Auto, a software platform for scalable autonomous driving systems; Web.Auto, a DevOps platform designed to streamline the development and management of these systems; and Edge.Auto, a reference platform integrating sensors, computers, and software tools. TIER IV provides end-to-end services covering software development, vehicle manufacturing, and operational support, targeting market segments such as last-mile driverless mobility and logistics, and facilitating the commercialization of self-driving technology in diverse environments.

Under the leadership of Founder and CEO Shinpei Kato, TIER IV maintains a prominent position as a pioneer in open-source autonomous driving software. Recent notable developments include the unveiling of AI-based Level 4 autonomous driving software stacks in March 2026, aimed at expanding global platform capabilities across Japan, the U.S., and Europe. The company has engaged in strategic collaborations with industry leaders such as Isuzu Motors and NVIDIA. In February 2026, TIER IV joined a Japan Ministry of Defense project for unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) deployment and tested Level 2+ semi-trailer trucks for long-haul logistics with Yamato Transport and Mitsubishi Fuso. In April 2026, TIER IV is scheduled to exhibit Toyota's e-Palette and autonomous bus services at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, further demonstrating its commitment to advancing intelligent mobility solutions.