Tokyo, October 4th / PRNewswire / -- Pioneer in autonomous driving open-source software, TIER IV, announced that the company has been selected for a funding project sponsored by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. This project supports collaborative technology initiatives aimed at regions in the global South. Through this initiative, TIER IV will conduct field operation tests of autonomous buses in Saudi Arabia ( FOTs ). The company stated that it will use autonomous driving technology that has already been verified in Japan to provide safe and scalable transportation services adapted to local conditions, and at the same time, it will also promote talent development initiatives that will contribute to the local workforce.
background
Under the Saudi Arabian government's "Vision 2030" strategy, the country is promoting economic diversification and social transformation, with a focus on building a vibrant society, a prosperous economy, and an ambitious nation. Saudi Arabia has set a goal to achieve autonomous driving in 15% of its public transportation by 2030. As urban development continues to advance, the market demand for sustainable mobility solutions is increasing. These solutions need to improve the convenience of public transportation, enhance traffic safety, and address challenges related to the training of skilled drivers.
In September 2025, TIER IV signed a memorandum of understanding with Elm, a developer of digital services and autonomous driving technology. TIER IV stated that, combining this collaboration with its experience and expertise in deploying autonomous buses using open-source technology in Japan and in training talent, the company will contribute to the development of future transportation in Saudi Arabia.
Project Overview
Through the following measures, TIER IV aims to deepen cooperation with vehicle manufacturers, autonomous driving technology providers, and local transportation operators, while establishing a business model for the commercial operation of autonomous vehicles in the future.
1. Vehicle Integration
TIER IV will develop autonomous buses for deployment in Saudi Arabia and collaborate with a European vehicle manufacturer to integrate their autonomous driving systems. Autonomous vehicles developed in Japan will serve as a reference.
2. Local adaptation and field testing
TIER IV will adapt and deploy autonomous driving systems based on open-source technology and the AI model. By training these models with local data, an autonomous driving system tailored to local conditions will be developed, including adaptation to desert climates and right-side traffic rules. Field tests will first be conducted in a closed environment, followed by expansion to public roads.
3. Collaborate with local partners and cultivate talent
TIER IV will collaborate with local partners and transportation operators to understand the operational environment and regional transportation needs. At the same time, it will also work together with government departments to share knowledge regarding local transportation challenges and deployment requirements.
The company will also collaborate with educational institutions to promote talent development programs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through competitive activities.
Government Support
As of now, TIER IV has conducted autonomous driving field tests in over 120 regions in Japan, as well as in the UK and Australia. The company stated that to further improve the performance of the autonomous driving system, it is necessary for the system to adapt to the unique driving environments and traffic rules of each country and region. This requires significant upfront investment in large-scale data collection, AI model training, and other aspects.
Deploying autonomous driving solutions in new markets involves uncertainties in requirements and the establishment of viable business models. For private companies, these upfront investments can thus constitute a significant burden and carry major risks related to commercialization.
With the support of this funding, TIER IV will be committed to establishing a high-precision autonomous driving system adapted to the local environment and advancing talent training programs that align with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.
Future Prospects
The company stated that this initiative will promote economic development and innovation through cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia. TIER IV will drive the deployment of autonomous driving solutions, contributing to the construction of a sustainable transportation future.
TIER IV will also apply the experience gained from deploying Japanese autonomous driving technology in Saudi Arabia and surrounding countries to the development of Japanese autonomous driving technology, contributing to further technological progress. By cultivating talent and expanding cooperation with related industries, the company also hopes to contribute to the growth of Japan's autonomous driving industry.
TIER IV will apply these experiences to vehicle development in other markets, field testing, and the adoption of technologies in different vehicle models. The company states that through these efforts, it will further enhance the international competitiveness of Japan's autonomous driving technology.
About TIER IV
TIER IV is a pioneer in the field of deep-tech innovation, having created the open-source software Autoware for autonomous driving. Centered around the complete platform and service system of Autoware, TIER IV provides one-stop services ranging from software development, vehicle procurement to operational support. Through the Autoware ecosystem, TIER IV collaborates with global partners to shape the future of intelligent vehicles using open-source software, with the aim of creating safer, more sustainable, and accessible modes of transportation for everyone.
The text trademark and logo of TIER IV are TIER IV and Inc, which are trademarks or registered trademarks in Japan and other countries. Other company names, product names, service names, and logos mentioned in the text are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Autoware is a registered trademark of Autoware Foundation.
