#Japan #Tokyo #Autonomous Driving #TIER IV #Astemo

TIER IV and Astemo: A Groundbreaking Collaboration for Autonomous Driving

In a significant development within the automotive industry, TIER IV, a pioneering entity in open-source software for autonomous driving, has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Astemo. This collaboration is centered on the creation of a next-generation software development platform tailored for autonomous driving systems. This strategic partnership aims to leverage TIER IV's Co-MLOps solution, a cutting-edge technology for collaborative data sharing that facilitates continuous development and improvement of autonomous driving AI models.

Building the Future of Autonomous Mobility

The goal of this partnership is not just immediate improvement in technologies but to prepare for long-term commercialization of advanced systems by around 2030. This platform will focus on developing end-to-end (E2E) AI models that incorporate perception, planning, and control into a singular learning process. These models are essential foundations for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and fully autonomous driving systems.

As the exploration of autonomous technology grows, TIER IV's commitment to advancing Level 4+ autonomy aims to integrate fully autonomous driving capabilities into dynamic and complex environments. A critical aspect of this initiative is ensuring that these AI models comply with stringent automotive safety and manufacturing standards while incorporating an AI development infrastructure that can handle vast amounts of driving data—essential for the evolution and competence of future autonomous vehicles.

Previous Collaborations and Future Initiatives

TIER IV and Astemo are not new to collaboration; their ongoing engagement in the Autoware Foundation (AWF) and SOAFEE has previously resulted in the reference implementation of the Open AD Kit, a cloud-native framework for autonomous driving. This partnership has now expanded to include involvement in TIER IV's Co-MLOps project initiated in January 2024, further solidifying their commitment to enhancing autonomous driving AI development.

Through this MoU, TIER IV combines its expertise in AI development platforms with Astemo's established authority as a Tier 1 supplier, which encompasses know-how in functional safety and vehicle integration, particularly regarding braking systems, suspension, powertrains, and ADAS technologies. Together, they will forge a development platform aimed at creating production-ready E2E autonomous driving AI models.

Key Objectives of the Collaboration

Development of an Advanced Development Platform

Astemo plans to integrate TIER IV's Co-MLOps architecture into its framework, focusing on the collection, processing, and continual improvement of AI models, all with the target of commercialization by 2030. Furthermore, Astemo is set to establish a continuous development framework for E2E AI models that meet the rigorous standards associated with mass production vehicles.

Joint Research on Level 4+ Autonomy

Both entities will engage in collaborative research aimed at defining the necessary technical requirements for E2E autonomous driving models, ensuring alignment as they develop a strategic roadmap. Astemo's goal is to advance E2E autonomous driving technologies progressively, leading to Level 4+ AI models in passenger vehicles by the early 2030s.

Voices from Leadership

Shinpei Kato, founder and CEO of TIER IV, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "Introducing E2E autonomous driving AI models into real-world applications necessitates advancements in both mass production readiness and AI infrastructure concurrently." He noted Astemo's stature as a Tier 1 supplier makes it a fitting partner for this ambitious endeavor.

Hiroshi Tamagawa, Executive Vice President, CTO and CISO of Astemo, commented, "Next-generation autonomous systems are predicated on E2E AI models and data-centric platforms that facilitate their continual evolution. We believe our partnership will significantly enhance the internet-of-vehicles platform that Astemo is constructing. Together, our ecosystems will extend these innovative technologies beyond the automotive industry into various mobility applications, ultimately shaping the future of transportation."

About TIER IV

TIER IV stands as a leader in deep tech innovation, particularly renowned for its contribution to Autoware, an open-source software aimed at fine-tuning autonomous driving technologies. With numerous platforms and services within the Autoware ecosystem, TIER IV collaborates globally to foster safer and more sustainable mobility solutions. This partnership with Astemo is poised to drive remarkable advancements in the realm of intelligent vehicles, underscoring TIER IV's commitment to the future of mobility.