TIER IV Unveils Steering-Wheel-Free Robotaxi Prototype

TIER IV has unveiled a new robotaxi prototype designed to operate without a steering wheel or pedals, announced in a press release. The prototype will be showcased at an event in Kanagawa Prefecture, Sagamihara, starting March 22.

The company is sharing the design of its autonomous driving system, including vehicle specifications and software architecture, to facilitate entry into the robotaxi market. This initiative is part of efforts to establish a Japan-led standard for robotaxis and strengthen the nation's position in the global sector.

The prototype uses an existing electric vehicle platform optimized for robotaxi applications, featuring a sensor configuration tailored for Autoware, an open-source software for autonomous driving. Additionally, TIER IV has developed a conversational AI agent powered by a large language model to enable intuitive voice interactions for tasks like destination selection.

Alongside this prototype, TIER IV is conducting robotaxi pilot tests in Tokyo and collaborating with a taxi operator on a data collection project to enhance autonomous driving AI.