TIER IV has launched an autonomous shuttle service connecting government buildings in central Tokyo as part of a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) project aimed at establishing standards for public sector autonomous vehicle deployments. The service began operations on November 20, 2025, operating on a 3.5-kilometer route linking National Diet buildings.
The shuttles use Suzuki Solio vehicles equipped with the Autoware open-source autonomous driving software and TIER IV’s robotaxi reference design. The deployment is intended to evaluate autonomous vehicle performance in dense urban traffic, collecting driving data and feedback from government personnel.
A METI spokesperson said the project is intended to provide a framework for future government procurement of autonomous vehicles by establishing standardized specifications and operational processes. Data collected during the deployment will inform assessments of performance metrics, operational limitations, and user experience in complex city environments.
TIER IV develops autonomous vehicle platforms and services built on Autoware and collaborates with partners internationally. The Tokyo shuttle project is part of broader efforts to explore the use of autonomous vehicles in public sector operations and to address operational challenges in urban mobility.
