In autonomous and self-driving news are TIER IV, Volkswagen, Uber, Innoviz and Harman.
Japan Backs TIER IV
TIER IV, a leader in open-source autonomous driving software, has been selected by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to lead a project aimed at strengthening the country’s industrial competitiveness in autonomous vehicles. The initiative focuses on building a comprehensive AI data platform by combining large-scale real-world driving data with synthetic data generated through multimodal AI.
The project addresses a key challenge in end-to-end autonomous driving development: the high cost and difficulty of collecting data for rare and dangerous scenarios. TIER IV will gather diverse driving data from multiple vehicle models, improve efficiency through technologies such as automated labeling, and generate synthetic data that simulates hard-to-capture situations, including near-accident events and varied weather and lighting conditions.
In parallel, the project will establish a shared AI data infrastructure that allows autonomous driving developers across Japan to access high-quality datasets. TIER IV aims to reduce development burdens for individual companies, accelerate innovation, and support the deployment of safer, more efficient autonomous driving systems, ultimately boosting Japan’s global competitiveness in the sector.
TIER IV and JR Central Form Alliance
TIER IV, a leader in open-source autonomous driving software, has entered into a capital and business alliance with Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) to develop next-generation first- and last-mile mobility solutions. The partnership aims to improve access to and from railway stations, support regional development, and address Japan’s growing mobility challenges caused by population decline and a shortage of professional drivers.
Building on TIER IV’s deployment of autonomous driving technology across vehicles such as cars, taxis, buses, and shuttles using its Autoware platform, the two companies plan to expand autonomous services that complement JR Central’s rail network. These services are expected to help sustain rail usage by improving station accessibility in local communities.
The alliance also looks ahead to future integration with the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, with the goal of creating new mobility value and encouraging regional revitalization. By combining JR Central’s transportation expertise with TIER IV’s autonomous driving technology, the partnership seeks to enhance regional connectivity and long-term mobility sustainability across JR Central’s operating areas.
Volkswagen & Uber Autonomous ID. Buzz Deployment LA
Volkswagen’s autonomous mobility arm, working with Uber, will begin testing autonomous ID. Buzz AD vehicles in Los Angeles starting late 2025, with plans for those vehicles to offer rides on the Uber platform in 2026. MOIA, Volkswagen’s autonomous mobility brand, will supply the autonomous driving solution for the deployment. Early testing will include human safety operators onboard as the technology is refined.
Innoviz Unveils InnovizThree LiDAR
Innoviz Technologies announced the launch of InnovizThree, a new automotive-grade LiDAR sensor designed to deliver high performance in a slimmer, lighter, and more cost-effective package than its predecessor, InnovizTwo. Weighing about 600 grams and offering flexible integration behind the windshield, on the roof, or in the front grille, InnovizThree provides automakers with greater design freedom while reducing costs by more than 35 percent. The sensor delivers detection ranges beyond 250 meters, supports low-power operation at 13 watts for quiet cabin integration, and is engineered for scalability across vehicle fleets. According to CEO Omer Keilaf, InnovizThree addresses the industry’s need for economically viable, high-performance LiDAR capable of supporting advanced autonomous systems, edge AI, and real-time decision-making in increasingly complex driving environments.
HARMAN Acquires ZF’s ADAS Business
HARMAN International announced a definitive €1.5 billion agreement to acquire ZF Group’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems business, adding automotive compute platforms, smart cameras, radars, and ADAS software to its portfolio. The acquisition strengthens HARMAN’s strategy to support software-defined vehicles through a centralized compute architecture that unifies safety, assisted driving, and in-cabin digital experiences. By integrating ZF’s ADAS technologies with HARMAN’s digital cockpit offerings, the company aims to simplify vehicle architectures, accelerate innovation cycles, and help automakers scale more intelligent, context-aware experiences. The transaction, expected to close in the second half of 2026 pending regulatory approvals, will transfer approximately 3,750 ZF employees to HARMAN and further expands the company’s role in next-generation automotive platforms backed by Samsung’s broader technology ecosystem.