Tier IV Partners with JR Tokai to Enhance Regional Value through Autonomous Transport

Tier IV and JR Tokai: Pioneering Autonomous Transport Solutions

In a significant move towards advancing public transportation, Tier IV, headquartered in Tokyo, has entered into a capital and business partnership with JR Tokai, based in Nagoya, on December 26, 2025. This collaboration aims to enhance regional value by integrating the capabilities of autonomous vehicles with existing railway networks, addressing pressing challenges such as declining populations and a shortage of drivers in public transport.

Goals of the Partnership

The partnership seeks to tackle the sustainability of regional public transport, which is becoming increasingly critical due to demographic changes. Leveraging autonomous buses and shuttles will not only maintain but also improve access to railway stations, thereby encouraging railway use among the community.

Tier IV is committed to promoting the deployment of autonomous transport solutions across various modes of transportation—including public buses—using its open-source software platform, Autoware. This partnership serves as a foundation for enhancing future secondary transport development within JR Tokai's operational region.

Statements from Company Leadership

Mahiro Kato, CEO of Tier IV:
"Our mission of democratizing autonomous transport aligns perfectly with improving sustainability in regional transport. This partnership will accelerate the societal implementation of autonomous technology and enhance accessibility to railway stations, contributing to the revitalization of the areas along our railway lines. We are also looking forward to creating new values in mobility in conjunction with the anticipated linear Chuo Shinkansen."

Toshisuke Niwa, President of JR Tokai:
"The autonomous driving system is a technology that offers significant potential for expanding transportation options in local areas. We believe that maintaining and improving access to railway stations will cultivate a vibrant exchange among people. By collaborating with Tier IV, a leader in the implementation of autonomous transport, we aim to deepen our partnership and work closely with local communities for further enhancement of railway value."

About Tier IV

Founded in December 2015, Tier IV is a deep-tech company that leads the development of the open-source software, Autoware, which is designed for autonomous driving solutions. By providing software platforms based on Autoware and developing various autonomous driving services catered to market needs, Tier IV leverages its ecosystem to broaden the potential of autonomous transportation in collaboration with partners worldwide. Their overarching goal is to achieve a safer and more sustainable society through the breadth of opportunities that Autoware presents.

To learn more about Tier IV and their innovative initiatives, visit their official website at Tier IV.