Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and TIER IV, Inc. (TIER IV) have announced that MC has made a strategic investment in TIER IV through a third-party allotment of shares. The aim of this investment is to collaborate on transforming mobility services in regional areas with autonomous driving technology.
MC has been actively involved in the “Digital Transformation of Regional Mobility” initiative in Japan, which seeks to improve transportation efficiency and convenience in rural areas. As part of this initiative, the company has been working on AI-equipped on-demand bus and taxi services to address transportation challenges. Recognizing autonomous driving as a pivotal solution, MC participated in a proof-of-concept test with an autonomous bus at Fukuoka Airport in 2022. Subsequently, A-Drive Inc. (A-Drive) was established in February 2023 to provide a comprehensive autonomous driving service and has been conducting proof-of-concept tests across Japan. As part of efforts to alleviate the shortage of drivers with class-2 heavy-vehicle licenses, A-Drive has conducted proof-of-concept tests featuring the autonomous driving services for large route buses in the cities of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka and Hiratsuka in Kanagawa.
TIER IV, on the other hand, is a pioneer in open-source autonomous driving technology. The company is developing safe and efficient autonomous driving systems, aiming to reimagine intelligent vehicles through the art of open source. Leveraging Autoware, the company offers a range of advanced autonomous driving products and solutions, encompassing both software and hardware across multiple platforms. The company conducts cutting-edge research and development in collaboration with partners worldwide, harnessing Autoware to accelerate the rollout of autonomous vehicles that will benefit society as a whole.
MC and TIER IV have previously collaborated on proof-of-concept tests, and this investment solidifies their commitment to advancing business initiatives in the realm of autonomous driving, with the shared goal of facilitating the widespread adoption of autonomous driving systems.
