MANILA: Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) — the parent company of Mitsubishi Motors — has invested in TIER IV, Inc., a pioneer in open-source autonomous driving technology.

According to the Japanese conglomerate, the said strategic investment will allow MC and TIER IV to cooperatively tackle efforts to transform mobility services in regional areas with autonomous driving technology.

TIER IV — MC pointed out — is steering the development of safe and efficient autonomous driving systems, aiming to re-imagine intelligent vehicles. It offers a range of advanced autonomous driving products and solutions, encompassing both software and hardware across multiple platforms.

MC noted that it has been actively engaged in an initiative called the “Digital Transformation of Regional Mobility,” which used artificial intelligence-equipped on-demand bus and taxi services to address transportation challenges in rural areas in Japan.

“Recognizing autonomous driving as a pivotal solution, MC participated in a proof-of-concept test with an autonomous bus at Fukuoka Airport in 2022. Subsequently, in February 2023, A-Drive Incorporated (A-Drive) was established to provide a one-stop autonomous driving service, and it has been conducting proof-of-concept tests across Japan,” the consortium explained in a press release.

“As part of efforts to alleviate the shortage of drivers with Class-2 heavy-vehicle licenses, A-Drive has conducted proof-of-concept tests featuring the autonomous driving services for large route buses in the cities of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka and Hiratsuka in Kanagawa,” it added.

Photos from Tier IV

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