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Tier IV robot taxi debut powered by Autoware and PACMod 3.0 system

Tier IV and Hexagon | AutonomouStuff collaborated on an autonomous taxi, which successfully completed its first round of testing with passengers in Tokyo.

The autonomous taxi that Tier IV is deploying in Tokyo has the potential to change lives all over Japan by delivering on the promise autonomy technology holds for safer, less congested, more convenient travel,” said Chief Autonomous Officer Bobby Hambrick.

Tier IV’s robot taxi — developed using Autoware, the world’s first open-source software for autonomous driving technology, and powered by the PACMod drive-by-wire system from Hexagon | AutonomouStuff — has successfully completed its first round of live testing with passengers in Tokyo.

The successful deployment of Tier IV’s robot taxi in central Tokyo in November represents the most publicly accessible product of a strategic partnership between Tier IV and AutonomouStuff. The Autoware Foundation guides community development of the autonomous driving software, and Tier IV also partnered with Mobility Technologies, SOMPO Japan Insurance, KDDI and Aisan Technology on a long-term plan to commercialize autonomous taxis.

This is an amazing achievement using Autoware,” said Dr. Shinpei Kato, founder of Autoware and Chief Technical Officer of Tier IV. “Both Tier IV and Hexagon | AutonomouStuff are founding members of the Autoware Foundation. I am proud of this open alliance enabling the future of mobility.”

Bobby Hambrick, Chief Autonomous Officer of Hexagon’s Autonomy and Positioning division, commended the successful deployment of an Autoware-operated autonomous vehicle enabled by the PACMod 3.0 System as a significant milestone for safer mobility in Tokyo and autonomous vehicle technology all over the world.

The autonomous taxi that Tier IV is deploying in Tokyo has the potential to change lives all over Japan by delivering on the promise autonomy technology holds for safer, less congested, more convenient travel,” Hambrick said. “I couldn’t be prouder to work with Tier IV and the Autoware Foundation on this remarkable achievement.”

The successful four-day test was designed to check the safety, comfort and punctuality of the self-driving taxi in two modes ? one under completely remote monitoring and another monitored by a safety driver sitting in the driver’s seat.

Upcoming trials are scheduled to be conducted between Dec. 8 and Dec. 23, 2020, in the Nishi Shinjuku area of central Tokyo, including a seven-day test for stakeholders and a five-day test entirely open to the public. People wishing to attend the trial need to apply via the website (https://future-mobility-lab.mo-t.com/5G-december/) and will be entered into a lottery drawing. Winners will be able to request a ride via a mobile app during the trial period.

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