TIER IV and Astemo to Develop End-to-End Autonomous Driving AI Platform
The platform, targeting commercialization by 2030, will shape the future of self-driving vehicles.
1Strategic Partnership Announced
Tokyo-based TIER IV and automotive supplier Astemo signed a memorandum of understanding on August 5, 2026, to jointly develop a next-generation platform for end-to-end autonomous driving AI. The platform is targeted for commercialization around 2030, with Astemo aiming to deploy end-to-end AI models in passenger vehicles in the early 2030s. This collaboration combines TIER IV's technology behind the open-source Autoware software with Astemo's production expertise, creating a powerful synergy in autonomous vehicle development.
2Co-MLOps Technology as Foundation
At the core of the agreement is TIER IV's Co-MLOps data-sharing system. Astemo will license this architecture to build a platform covering the full AI model development cycle: data collection, processing, training, evaluation, and continuous improvement. The system is designed to meet the quality and safety requirements of mass-production vehicles. Co-MLOps aims to unify data collection efforts across companies, significantly improving efficiency in autonomous driving development.
3End-to-End Model Approach
End-to-end (E2E) models integrate perception, planning, and control into a single learning process. TIER IV considers this technology critical for achieving Level 4+ autonomy, with plans to expand fully driverless operations in complex environments. Astemo aims to accelerate the adoption of autonomous driving by implementing these models in passenger vehicles. E2E models offer more integrated solutions compared to traditional modular approaches, potentially revolutionizing how self-driving systems are developed.
4Two-Phase Development Plan
The memorandum outlines two parallel tracks: First, development of the Co-MLOps-based platform targeting commercialization by 2030. Second, joint research into E2E models for Level 4+ autonomy. The companies will combine resources to define technical requirements and create a medium-to-long-term roadmap. Astemo's ultimate goal is to integrate Level 4+ E2E AI models into vehicles in the early 2030s, marking a significant milestone in autonomous vehicle technology.
5Complementary Strengths
TIER IV brings AI infrastructure expertise as the developer of Autoware, while Astemo contributes functional safety compliance and vehicle integration experience as a supplier formed from Hitachi and Honda's automotive parts operations. Astemo's expertise in braking, suspension, powertrain, and ADAS products will be crucial for integrating autonomous technologies into production vehicles. This partnership effectively combines software and hardware specializations, creating a comprehensive approach to autonomous driving development.
6Co-MLOps Ecosystem
Cooperative Machine Learning Operations (Co-MLOps) addresses the data fragmentation problem in autonomous driving AI. Participating companies can share managed sensor data under privacy and security controls. TIER IV launched this project in January 2024. Initial tests in 2023 used data collected from eight regions including Japan, Germany, and the US to train perception models consuming under 10 watts of power. The platform runs on AWS infrastructure and adopts a cloud-native approach, enabling flexible updates and scalability.
7Previous Collaborations and Testing
The partnership between the two companies has been developing for nearly two years. In October 2024, TIER IV and Hitachi Astemo initiated a joint autonomous driving systems project based on Autoware. TIER IV released an E2E architecture for Autoware in July 2025, followed by data-centric software stacks for Level 4 autonomous driving in March 2026. Hour-long supervised test runs were conducted in Tokyo, Pittsburgh, and Munich using different vehicles, with safety drivers onboard as required by local regulations.
8The Future of Autonomous Driving
This collaboration represents progress from software stacks to production implementation. End-to-end AI models could enable significant leaps in autonomous driving technology. Expected to hit the roads in the 2030s, this technology has transformative potential for the transportation industry. The TIER IV-Astemo platform appears poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the autonomous future of the global automotive sector. Industry observers anticipate similar partnerships emerging as competitors seek to match this technological advancement.
Original article: Unite.AI — TIER IV ve Astemo, Uçtan Uca Otonom Sürüş AI Platformu Geliştirecek