SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 26, 2025 – Tier IV, a pioneer in developing open-source software for autonomous driving, has successfully concluded a series of robotaxi service pilot tests in Tokyo, Japan, signaling a major leap towards the commercial integration of autonomous vehicles. These pivotal tests were conducted in Odaiba during November 2024 and in Nishi-Shinjuku throughout December 2024.
Advancing Autonomous Mobility in Japan
This initiative follows Tier IV's selection in August 2024 for a project spearheaded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, focused on driving digital transformation within the mobility sector. The pilot tests aimed to demonstrate the practical introduction of robotaxis by adapting and expanding existing operational design domains (ODDs) to accommodate diverse and challenging urban traffic environments. Further, they provided in-depth technical verifications crucial for the broader deployment of robotaxis.
Navigating Tokyo's Complex Traffic Scenarios
The tests utilized JPN Taxi vehicles equipped with Tier IV’s advanced autonomous driving system. These vehicles successfully navigated approximately 500 intricate scenarios across Odaiba and Nishi-Shinjuku. These scenarios included complex maneuvers such as executing right and left turns at busy intersections and safely avoiding parked vehicles. Adhering to a stringent safety-first approach, operators were prepared to switch to manual control when scenarios exceeded the predefined ODDs. The outcomes of these tests validated the adaptability of ODDs in highly dense traffic conditions and pinpointed critical technical challenges that need to be addressed to facilitate autonomous driving across a wide range of routes.
Odaiba Pilot Test: User Interaction and Feedback
In Odaiba, passengers engaged with the robotaxi using voice commands to specify their destinations. The vehicles then navigated routes around Tokyo Teleport Station. Each ride averaged approximately 3 kilometers, contributing to a total driving distance of around 354 kilometers. Following each ride, surveys were conducted to collect user feedback, crucial for identifying areas for service enhancement and improvement.
Nishi-Shinjuku Pilot Test: High-Density Environment Operations
In the bustling streets of Nishi-Shinjuku, characterized by high pedestrian and vehicle traffic density, passengers utilized a ride-hailing application to select from seven designated destination options. The vehicles navigated along predetermined routes. Tier IV collaborated closely with the Shinjuku Subcenter Area Environmental Improvement Committee and other key stakeholders to discuss the scalability of robotaxi operations within the area. This test was supported by a subsidy from the Shinjuku Station West Exit Area Parking Region Rules Operation Council. Each ride in Nishi-Shinjuku also averaged approximately 3 kilometers, with a total accumulated driving distance of around 622 kilometers.
Future Roadmap and Industry Collaboration
“Moving forward, Tier IV will integrate the findings from these tests into its reference design for robotaxis, which will be shared with key players in the automotive industry,” stated Anthony James, a key figure at Tier IV. “This will significantly lower the entry barrier for developing vehicles suitable for robotaxis, enabling auto makers to enter the market.”
Tier IV aims to establish a robust service model by 2027, enabling the rapid launch of robotaxi operations within three months in targeted regions. This will be achieved by leveraging the developed reference design. “The model has the potential to play an important role in advancing the nationwide deployment and integration of robotaxis across society,” James added.
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