#None #Saudi Arabia #TIER IV #Autoware #ELM

TIER IV and Elm Collaborate for Autonomous Driving in Saudi Arabia

TIER IV, a leader in open-source autonomous driving technologies, has announced a new partnership with Elm, a digital services provider in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration aims to explore and develop autonomous driving solutions tailored to the local context, thereby enhancing smart mobility initiatives in the Kingdom. This memorandum of understanding signifies both companies' commitment to contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a plan designed to diversify the national economy and enhance quality of life.

Through this partnership, TIER IV and Elm intend to utilize each other's strengths. Elm has considerable experience in developing innovative solutions for smart mobility in the Middle East. In contrast, TIER IV brings its expertise in deploying the Autoware platform, an open-source software that has significantly influenced autonomous vehicle technology in Japan. The collaboration seeks to promote the use of robotaxis and other autonomous mobility services adapted to the unique driving conditions and regulations of Saudi Arabia.

Areas of Collaboration

The partnership focuses on several key areas:
1. Development of Mobility Services: TIER IV and Elm plan to introduce new services like robotaxis that will cater specifically to the local environment, enhancing public transportation.
2. Talent Development: The collaboration aims to create training programs based on the Autoware platform for academic institutions and research centers in Saudi Arabia. This will involve competitions in autonomous driving to foster local engineering talent.
3. Ecosystem Development: Together, the two companies will work on developing an ecosystem for the Autoware community within Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East region.

Background on Saudi Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 emphasizes economic diversification and technological innovation. Among its ambitious goals is the aspiration to make 15% of public transport systems autonomous by 2030. This involves proposing initiatives that enhance the skills of the local workforce and invest in innovative technologies. TIER IV and Elm's collaboration aligns perfectly with this vision, as both companies are committed to fostering local talent and advancing autonomous mobility solutions.

In addition, the initiative benefits from the ongoing economic and innovation-focused cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia, facilitated by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The Future of Autonomous Driving in Saudi Arabia

As the partnership unfolds, TIER IV and Elm are excited to leverage their respective expertise to promote localizing cutting-edge autonomous technologies. During the announcement, Shinpei Kato, founder, and CEO of TIER IV, expressed enthusiasm for this joint venture, stating, "This new partnership with Elm, a leader in digital transformation services in Saudi Arabia, will advance the localization of innovative autonomous technology and nurture engineering talent with skills adapted to Saudi Arabia's specific needs."

Majid bin Saad Alarifi, spokesperson and Executive Vice President of Marketing at Elm, highlighted the importance of this memorandum, stating it demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the Kingdom’s position in smart mobility technologies. He noted, "This partnership notably positions the Kingdom at the forefront of the global autonomous mobility industry."

Conclusion

The collaboration between TIER IV and Elm marks a significant step toward the future of autonomous mobility in Saudi Arabia. By harnessing each other's strengths and aligning with national goals, both companies aspire to create smart mobility solutions that will not only provide practical transportation options but also contribute to the development of local engineering talent. This collaboration may well become a blueprint for future partnerships in the field of autonomous driving and innovation across the globe.