TIER IV leads the development of Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving. As part of our mission to make autonomous driving accessible to all, the company has developed the TIER IV Autoware Partner Program, which provides access to training, technical expertise and the Pilot.Auto and Web.Auto platforms. Open to companies working on autonomous driving projects, the program equips partners to independently develop new businesses powered by TIER IV technology, while also opening the door to joint initiatives. In this post, we’ll look at how the program came about, what it offers, and what it takes to become a certified partner.

More companies are turning to autonomous driving as a potential solution to challenges such as driver shortages and road safety concerns. TIER IV occupies a unique space with its open-source approach, working with partners worldwide through the Autoware Foundation.

Building high-performance autonomous driving systems with Autoware involves developing advanced features and tailoring the system to ensure safe operation in specific driving environments. Although Autoware is open-source and publicly available, there is a shortage of qualified engineers with the expertise to deploy autonomous driving systems – an issue affecting the entire industry.

Sensor configurations can be customized for specific driving environments.

Expanding ecosystem

TIER IV believes that sharing know-how and strengthening collaboration with partners are essential to fuel advancements in the autonomous driving sector. To that end, we’ve developed a two-phase framework. The first phase targets partners starting out in the field, with the partner program helping them acquire practical skills to develop autonomous driving technology. The second phase supports partners as they scale their operations, with TIER IV’s Bluebird solution supporting the independent growth of their businesses.

Program overview

The training curriculum is geared toward engineers who have already learned the basics of Autoware. Partners will further their knowledge on the course, gaining practical skills in vehicle setup, system integration, and customization. Partners who complete the training stand to benefit from opportunities such as participation in TIER IV-led projects and support when launching new initiatives that utilize TIER IV platforms.

The TIER IV Autoware Partner Program provides support for companies developing autonomous driving businesses and opportunities to participate in joint projects.

Getting certified

The training includes courses in Autoware integration – employing a digital twin simulator to ensure autonomous driving systems perform as intended – and DevOps, utilizing cloud-based tools for development tasks such as software builds, evaluation scenario creation, and vehicle data management.

In the training, partners gain experience with Pilot.Auto, an Autoware-based autonomous driving software platform, and Web.Auto, a cloud-based DevOps platform, providing practical experience with the software in real-world projects.

Pilot.Auto enables efficient, cost-effective development of autonomous driving systems, with reference designs that can be customized for specific use cases, helping companies shorten development schedules and speed up time to launch.

Web.Auto supports every stage of the autonomous driving system lifecycle – from development and deployment to day-to-day operation. For engineers, it streamlines development workflows, covering system implementation and builds to testing and deployment. For service providers, it simplifies the management of autonomous vehicle operations, with data visualization and analysis tools.

After completing the program, partners can fast-track the transition from simulation to road testing with the DTV Kit — a drivable test vehicle compatible with Autoware and Web.Auto. With pre-synchronized ECUs and sensors, the kit streamlines setup and enables validation of autonomous driving systems under real conditions.

Business expansion with Bluebird

Certified partners who develop technical expertise through the TIER IV Autoware Partner Program and launch successful initiatives have the opportunity to receive additional support through Bluebird, a service designed to accelerate business growth. Support includes licensing and technical assistance with Pilot.Auto and Web.Auto, along with joint development of tailored services that reflect each partner’s strengths, fueling advancements in autonomous driving technology.

Wrap-up

TIER IV is committed to making autonomous driving accessible to all. Through partnerships across the sector, the company is driving innovation in Japan and beyond. If you’d like to learn more about the TIER IV Autoware Partner Program, get in touch. Let’s build the future of autonomous mobility, together.