Building an open-source ecosystem for AI-defined vehicles

TOKYO, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TIER IV, the pioneering force behind Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving, today announced its commitment to spearheading Autoware 2.0 initiatives in collaboration with the Autoware Foundation (AWF) and the global open-source community.

Autoware 2.0 marks a significant evolution of open-source autonomous driving software, expanding support for data-centric, AI-based approaches while maintaining compatibility with conventional rule-based approaches. Key developments include a scalable and adaptive architecture supporting various configurations of AI-based and rule-based autonomous driving systems, a flexible indexing scheme for modular software integration, and a ready-made Reference Design framework to facilitate commercial adoption across different vehicles, applications, and operating environments.

As a leading contributor to Autoware, TIER IV plays a central role in advancing these initiatives and aims to accelerate the commercialization of Autoware-powered autonomous driving systems through its growing ecosystem of global technology partners.

Accelerating Commercialization through an Open-Source Ecosystem

Building on its existing collaborations with global technology leaders, including Arm, AWS and Red Hat, TIER IV aims to accelerate the commercial adoption of Autoware 2.0 through the following initiatives:

• Arm: Advancing the development of computing platforms for Autoware 2.0 as a representative use case of Arm Total Design for Physical AI.
• AWS: Advancing cloud-native development and operations environments for Autoware 2.0, building on TIER IV's existing use of AWS cloud technologies.
• Red Hat: Advancing the system integration of Autoware 2.0 with AutoSD, the open-source upstream project for Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System.

Through these complementary initiatives, TIER IV seeks to strengthen the technology ecosystem supporting Autoware 2.0 and expand opportunities for its adoption and commercialization across the automotive industry.

"Autoware 2.0 represents an important step toward the democratization of autonomous driving in the era of AI-defined vehicles," said Shinpei Kato, founder and CEO of TIER IV. "Open-source software alone is not enough to transform the automotive industry. We need an ecosystem that connects AI, computing platforms, cloud infrastructure, and automotive software into practical solutions. By working with the global open-source community and technology leaders such as Arm, AWS, and Red Hat, we aim to accelerate the commercial adoption of Autoware and create new business opportunities across the automotive industry."

"Autoware 2.0 reflects the collective efforts of a global community working to make advanced autonomous driving technologies more accessible," said Muhammad Zain Khawaja, president of the Autoware Foundation. "TIER IV has played a leading role in advancing Autoware, and its continued commitment to open-source development and industry collaboration is essential to the growth of our ecosystem. We look forward to working with TIER IV and our global community to expand the adoption of Autoware 2.0 and enable more organizations to build autonomous driving solutions on an open foundation."

Presenting Autoware 2.0 Initiatives at ASSC US 2026

TIER IV will join Arm, AWS and Red Hat at Automotive Software Strategies US 2026 (ASSC US 2026), scheduled for November 3–4, 2026, in San Jose, California. Representatives from the four companies are expected to present their respective approaches to advancing automotive software technologies and open-source ecosystems.

Christian John, President of TIER IV North America, will present TIER IV's vision for accelerating the commercial adoption of Autoware 2.0 through open-source collaboration and global technology partnerships.

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.

Media contact
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Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation.

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SOURCE TIER IV, Inc.