Thank you for your continued interest in and support of TIER IV.
My belief in the potential of autonomous driving began when I witnessed the technology firsthand during my time as a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University. What I saw was not only a cutting-edge technological challenge, but also an opportunity to create new industries, address critical social issues such as reducing traffic accidents and alleviating labor shortages, and ultimately build a better mobility society. The aspiration I developed then—to bring autonomous driving into everyday society—remains the foundation of TIER IV's mission today.
During my studies in computer science, I also witnessed how open source accelerated technological innovation and gave rise to entirely new industries and ecosystems. This experience led me to believe that autonomous driving could advance much faster if it were built on an open-source foundation, enabling companies, researchers, and developers around the world to collaborate and innovate together.
Today, the mobility industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by software, data, and AI. Guided by our vision of the democratization of autonomous driving, TIER IV is advancing the deployment of autonomous driving technologies, vehicles, and services built on Autoware, the world's leading open-source software for autonomous driving. Through the open-source ecosystem we have built—and continue to expand—we collaborate with partners worldwide to rapidly incorporate cutting-edge technologies while delivering autonomous driving that combines both safety and scalability.
One of the greatest strengths of open source is its flexibility. It enables autonomous driving to be adapted across diverse hardware platforms, operational environments, and regional requirements. Leveraging this strength, our technologies are being deployed across a broad range of applications, including buses, taxis, trucks, factory logistics, construction machinery, and agricultural equipment. Through these efforts, we aim to make safe, reliable, and convenient mobility accessible to everyone.
Our ambition extends beyond developing outstanding autonomous driving technology. We seek to build a sustainable ecosystem where autonomous driving continues to evolve through open collaboration, empowering diverse organizations and communities to create value independently while contributing to society together.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to creating new value through autonomous driving while pursuing sustainable growth and enhancing long-term corporate value. We sincerely appreciate the continued support of our shareholders and stakeholders.
July 22, 2026
CEO
Shinpei Kato