#Japan #Tokyo #Autonomous Driving #TIER IV #Imec

TIER IV Collaborates with imec to Propel Automotive Chiplet Innovations

In an exciting development within the automotive industry, TIER IV, a leader in open-source software for autonomous vehicles, has officially joined imec's Automotive Chiplet Program (ACP). This strategic alliance seeks to expedite the transition towards chiplet-based architectures, which play a crucial role in the evolution of self-driving cars and AI-driven systems. With this partnership, TIER IV aims to spearhead a multi-environment, multi-application approach that will scale autonomous driving solutions throughout the global mobility landscape.

The Shift Toward Software-Defined Vehicles

As the automotive world shifts to software-defined vehicles (SDVs), the integration of hardware and software is critical. TIER IV's strategy revolves around two vital segments:
1. Multi-environment Compatibility: This ensures that TIER IV's offerings work seamlessly with vehicles from various manufacturers, leveraging its Autoware platform that supports a plethora of hardware architectures, system-on-chips, and sensor technologies.

2. Multi-application Support: It encompasses the development and integration of systems, reference designs, and personalized services to cater to a range of uses.

By participating in the ACP, TIER IV is backing chiplet technologies that facilitate efficient software applications across various silicon platforms, thereby allowing automotive producers to adopt optimal processing solutions without being tied to a single hardware vendor.

Advancements in AI and LiDAR Technologies

A significant focus of this collaboration is the co-creation of specialized hardware accelerators. TIER IV has already made strides by completing a groundbreaking LiDAR accelerator for swift 3D point-cloud processing. Their current endeavor addresses the need for AI accelerators tailored specifically for AI-oriented autonomous driving solutions. As the Autoware framework continues its evolution toward utilizing neural networks—managing everything from perception to planning—the compatibility of new hardware solutions must resonate with high-throughput AI capabilities. Chiplet technology empowers TIER IV to amalgamate its perception expertise within system-on-chips alongside various compute tiles, guaranteeing low latency and maximized efficiency essential for future automotive-grade autonomous systems.

Remarks from Leadership

"Our strategic framework hinges on the idea that autonomous driving should be versatile, able to cater to any platform and use case," explains Shinpei Kato, founder and CEO of TIER IV. He elaborates that working within the ACP provides an opportunity to synergize open-source software with silicon that adheres to open standards. TIER IV's aspiration is that Autoware and its AI models consistently deliver peak performance through enhanced chiplet designs, regardless of the underlying computing structure.

Bart Placke, VP of imec Automotive, shares his enthusiasm about TIER IV’s involvement in the ACP: "The industry's shift towards chiplet architectures is a collective journey that cannot be executed in isolation. Therefore, the ACP's objective is to unite the ecosystem in a pre-competitive setting to establish standards and validate methodologies that meet automotive-grade criteria. With TIER IV's participation, we can merge our semiconductor and system integration proficiencies with their advanced autonomous driving software capabilities, enabling us to fast-track the development of essential chiplet-based architectures for autonomous mobility."

Paving the Way for Open-Source Hardware Solutions

TIER IV is committed to collaborating with a global network of industry pioneers to establish pre-competitive standards for automotive chiplets through the ACP. This cooperative initiative guarantees that the Autoware Foundation's Open AD Kit, alongside TIER IV's Co-MLOps platform, remains at the forefront of semiconductor advancements. By advocating for an open and interoperable chiplet ecosystem, TIER IV is fostering a transparent supply chain, significantly expediting the journey toward safe and efficient autonomous driving worldwide.

About TIER IV

TIER IV stands at the vanguard of deep tech innovation, with Autoware as its flagship product—an open-source software tailored for autonomous driving needs. TIER IV offers a comprehensive ecosystem, from software development and vehicle acquisition to operational support, striving to redefine the future of intelligent mobility through its commitment to open-source solutions. The company works with international partners to create safer, more sustainable, and universally accessible number of mobility solutions for the future.