TOKYO, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TIER IV, the pioneering force behind Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving, today announced that it has joined Arm® Total Design for Physical AI. Building on its longstanding collaboration with Arm through Open AD Kit, TIER IV aims to make Autoware more readily available across Arm-based SoCs and in-vehicle computing platforms, helping semiconductor manufacturers and OEM manufacturers accelerate the development of autonomous driving systems.

Bringing open-source autonomous driving expertise to the physical AI ecosystem

Arm Total Design for Physical AI brings together partners across the computing and software ecosystem to accelerate the development and deployment of physical AI, with the aim to make it easier to develop intelligent systems that operate in the physical world.

As a member of Arm Total Design for Physical AI, TIER IV will contribute its expertise in open-source autonomous driving and its experience in developing Autoware-based systems. TIER IV aims to connect the Autoware ecosystem with a broader network of computing and technology partners, helping developers bring autonomous driving software to real-world applications.

Building on collaboration through Open AD Kit

TIER IV and Arm have a longstanding collaboration through Open AD Kit, an open framework developed within the Autoware Foundation ecosystem to simplify the development and deployment of Autoware across computing platforms. Their work brings together open-source autonomous driving software and Arm-based computing technologies, helping simplify the integration of software with hardware.

The collaboration was demonstrated at CES 2026, where Open AD Kit was showcased on Arm-based computing platforms. Building on this experience, TIER IV aims to make Autoware available in ready-to-use configurations that support development from Arm-based SoCs to in-vehicle computing platforms.

"Making autonomous driving accessible requires more than open-source software. Developers also need a practical path to bring that software onto the computing platforms that power real-world systems," said Shinpei Kato, founder and CEO of TIER IV. "Our collaboration with Arm through Open AD Kit has helped bridge that gap. By joining Arm Total Design for Physical AI, we look forward to extending this work with a broader network of partners and accelerating the democratization of autonomous driving."

"The path to scalable autonomy depends on making it easier for software and hardware to evolve together," said Dermot O'Driscoll, vice president of go-to-market, Physical AI, Arm. "Our work with TIER IV through Open AD Kit has already demonstrated that potential, and Arm Total Design for Physical AI gives us an opportunity to extend that collaboration across a much broader ecosystem."

Advancing the democratization of autonomous driving

TIER IV will continue working with Arm and other industry partners to make Autoware more accessible across computing platforms. Through Open AD Kit and the broader physical AI ecosystem, TIER IV aims to lower development barriers and enable more companies to develop and deploy autonomous driving systems.

About TIER IV
TIER IV stands at the forefront of deep tech innovation, pioneering Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving. With a comprehensive suite of platforms and services built around Autoware, TIER IV provides everything from software development and vehicle procurement to operational support. Through the Autoware ecosystem, TIER IV works with partners worldwide to shape the future of intelligent vehicles with open-source software, aiming to create mobility that is safer, more sustainable, and accessible to all.

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