Tier IV

Executive Summary

Tier IV is a top Japanese company that builds the underlying technology for self-driving cars. They focus on Autoware, which is the very first software for driverless vehicles that anyone can legally view and modify for free. The company makes $100 million in yearly sales by selling kits that combine computer equipment with software, along with expert advice, to large global car manufacturers and shipping companies. They act as a more accessible version of secret, closed technologies like Waymo. Tier IV focuses on the fast-growing areas of driverless taxis and mid-range shipping routes. Even though the business currently shows a $60 million yearly loss because they spend heavily on researching cars that require no human drivers, their community-focused approach gives them a special advantage. This model makes the software improve faster and lowers the total cost for their partners. Major wins for the company include successful tests in busy city streets and strong ties to the established Japanese car parts industry. People putting money into this firm must weigh this strong position against the danger of rivals in America and China and the stress of waiting years for car projects to finish. This is a rare chance to back a main part of Japan's future travel systems and the plan to share smart driving tech with everyone.