Tokyo, April 4, 2025 – TIER IV, the pioneering force behind the world’s first open-source software for autonomous driving, reaffirms its commitment to advancing The Autoware Foundation (AWF) as it undergoes a leadership transition, effective April 1. Under this new structure, Daisuke Tanaka, former COO of TIER IV, has been appointed as president of AWF, and Christian John, president of TIER IV North America has become a member of the board of directors, while Shinpei Kato, CEO of TIER IV, transitions from chairman to fellow.
First released as open-source software in August 2015, Autoware* has been at the forefront of autonomous driving innovation, with TIER IV championing its development. Recognizing the need for global collaboration, TIER IV established AWF in December 2018 as the world’s first international industry consortium dedicated to open-source autonomous driving, enabling organizations across industries and borders to contribute to its evolution.
With this new leadership structure, TIER IV will continue to support AWF in strengthening its governance structure, streamlining decision making, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and empowering member companies with enhanced business opportunities. By driving forward the development of Autoware under AWF, TIER IV remains steadfast in its mission to accelerate the deployment of autonomous driving.
*Autoware is a registered trademark of The Autoware Foundation.
About TIER IV
TIER IV stands at the forefront of deep tech innovation, pioneering Autoware, the world’s first open-source software for autonomous driving. Harnessing Autoware, we build scalable platforms and deliver comprehensive solutions across software development, vehicle manufacturing, and service operations. As a founding member of the Autoware Foundation, we are committed to reshaping the future of intelligent vehicles with open-source software, enabling individuals and organizations to thrive in the evolving field of autonomous driving.
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