Connect with us

Technology

TIER IV partners with Nihon Kotsu on data-sharing platform to boost AI development for autonomous driving

Published

on

TOKYO, July 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — TIER IV, the pioneering force behind the worlds’ first open-source software for autonomous driving, has partnered with Nihon Kotsu on a large-scale data-sharing initiative aimed at scaling AI development. From July 2024, the companies will jointly collect data from vehicles equipped with a data recording system (DRS) developed by TIER IV.

TIER IV spearheaded the Co-MLOps (Cooperative Machine Learning Operations) data-sharing initiative in 2023, and unveiled a proof of concept test at CES 2024 that featured data collected in collaboration with partner companies from eight global regions. The company has been driving data collection efforts in major areas of Japan, verifying the performance of its DRS and other features of the Co-MLOps Platform. With DRS-equipped vehicles on the road and the basic functionalities for efficient data collection using active learning frameworks in place, TIER IV is poised to expand its dataset significantly in collaboration with Nihon Kotsu.

DRS overview

TIER IV’s DRS includes multiple automotive-grade LiDARs, high-resolution cameras and electronic control units (ECUs), enabling it to capture comprehensive and precise data on a vehicle’s surroundings and operation. With seamless synchronization and calibration between sensors and ECUs, the system is equipped for the high-quality data collection necessary for AI development for autonomous driving.

Enhance efficiency with Co-MLOps Platform

Data uploaded to the cloud-based Co-MLOps Platform undergoes quality checks, anonymization for secure sharing, and tagging for efficient retrieval. Annotations are prioritized based on assessments from active learning frameworks, focusing on data that significantly enhances AI performance. This approach accelerates the MLOps process, fostering efficient AI development for autonomous driving.

“The data collected through this collaboration will have a wide range of applications, significantly enhancing the accuracy of autonomous driving AI while advancing efforts toward the deployment of robotaxis and the mass production of software-defined vehicles (SDVs),” said Shinpei Kato, founder, CEO and CTO of TIER IV. “We will continue to collaborate with partner companies around the world to conduct ongoing data collection, accelerating the development of a large-scale shared data platform.”

“We are very honored to be working with TIER IV to build “the future of mobility”,” said Ichiro Kawanabe, Director of Nihon Kotsu. “Nihon Kotsu will contribute to improve the safety of automated driving and its implementation by using our 96 years of operational know-how. And we are excited to participate in the mission to connect the next generation and create a legacy of society. All of us expect that the advancement of automated driving technology will improve hired cars and cabs, and will realize safer and higher quality transportation.”

Future plans

TIER IV will lead data collection efforts, using Nihon Kotsu vehicles, primarily in Tokyo through the end of 2024. The company aims to create an annotated dataset exceeding 200,000 frames by the end of 2024, building upon previously collected data. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the company plans to expand its fleet, aiming to gather a diverse and comprehensive dataset across various regions to fuel advancements in autonomous driving technology. TIER IV will also explore opportunities for mass-producing DRS, adapting it for future data collection initiatives, and expand its network to cover a wider range of areas in collaboration with partners.

About TIER IV

TIER IV stands at the forefront of deep tech innovation, pioneering Autoware, the world’s first open-source software for autonomous driving, to empower intelligent vehicles worldwide. Harnessing Autoware, we build scalable platforms and deliver comprehensive solutions across software development, vehicle manufacturing, and service operations. As a founding member of the Autoware Foundation, our commitment to open-source software enables individuals and organizations to thrive in the evolving field of autonomous driving, reshaping the future of intelligent vehicles.
Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation.

About Nihon Kotsu

Company name: Nihon Kotsu Co.,Ltd.
Establishment: April, 1928
President: Yasuharu Wakabayashi
Headquater: 3-12 Kioicho,Kioicho Building, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan
Business description: Taxi & amp; Limousine service
Website: https://www.nihon-kotsu.co.jp/

Media Contact
pr@tier4.jp

Business Inquires
co-mlops@tier4.jp

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tier-iv-partners-with-nihon-kotsu-on-data-sharing-platform-to-boost-ai-development-for-autonomous-driving-302197575.html

SOURCE TIER IV, Inc.

Continue Reading

Technology

Putting Young Innovators Center Stage: Leaders In Future Tech+ Wraps with ¥526 Million in Investment Intentions and 31 Enterprise Landings

Published

on

By

NANJING, China, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On November 7, the grand finale of Leaders In Future Tech+ — a documentary sci-tech innovation program jointly produced by China Media Group, the Ministry of Education, and the Nanjing Municipal People’s Government — aired as the Youth Innovation Carnival.

Since its October 3 premiere, the program traveled to 10 cities across China, selecting 100 teams of young innovators with an average age of just 28 from nearly 500 applicants. Fifteen finalists advanced to the finale, presenting breakthroughs spanning AI chips, optical interconnect, biomedicine, smart agriculture, and more.

To date, the program has facilitated ¥526 million in investment intentions covering 34 participating enterprises, and helped 31 companies reach landing agreements with 11 districts and counties of Nanjing.

At the carnival, the “Leaders In Future Tech+ Little Giant Transformation Plan” was launched, with 13 enterprises selected in the first batch to receive a five-module service system guiding them toward specialized, high-end development.

Behind these numbers is a media-driven innovation model: closed-door investment meetings were turned into open, transparent dialogues, connecting young innovators directly with venture capital firms, academicians, industry experts, and local governments — with the focus not on short-term commercial maturity, but on long-term growth potential.

The finale also showed how technology serves everyday life: non-invasive brain-computer interface demonstrations, low-cost bone-repair materials, and ultra-low-cost fresh-keeping cards that reduce agricultural loss — each a footnote to innovation with human warmth.

With Season One concluded, Season Two recruitment is now open to innovation teams nationwide via China Media Group’s official channels and the Yangshipin app (CMG Mobile). As the program’s message goes: put young innovators at center stage — and hand the future to innovation.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/putting-young-innovators-center-stage-leaders-in-future-tech-wraps-with-526-million-in-investment-intentions-and-31-enterprise-landings-302932710.html

SOURCE China Media Group

Continue Reading

Technology

GSMA MWC26 Doha opens with call to align on global industry standards and close MENA’s connectivity gap

Published

on

By

Operators, technology leaders, policymakers and innovators gather in Doha today for three days of exhibition, collaboration and debate on the future of connectivity across the Middle East and North Africa

DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MWC26 Doha, held in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), opened today at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), bringing together connectivity ecosystem to shape the next phase of growth for a mobile economy forecast to add $470 billion to the Middle East and North Africa by 2030.

MWC26 Doha officially opened today, in presence of His Excellency Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs. His Excellency Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, State of Qatar delivered a welcome address.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said: “The second edition of MWC Doha takes place at a time when the requirements of telecommunications infrastructure are undergoing fundamental change. As artificial intelligence advances towards executing tasks through intelligent agents, the need for more resilient networks and advanced computing capabilities continues to grow. At the same time, global challenges underscore the importance of diversifying connectivity routes and ensuring service continuity.”

GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath and ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin took to the stage for a fireside chat. Mr Badrinath set out the key priorities shaping the region’s connected future, with a continued commitment to global standards keeping networks and services interoperable across markets, as well as a renewed push to extend connectivity to populations that remain offline in MENA.

Vivek Badrinath, Director General, GSMA, said: “Progress only counts if everyone shares in it. That means two things: global standards that keep networks, services and devices working across borders, and a concerted effort to connect the people who are still offline. Over the next three days, MWC Doha, alongside its co-location with ITU’s PP-26, will bring together the policy makers, innovators and industry leaders setting these standards and building these networks, to help make this vision a reality. As the ITU Plenipotentiary continues, we are confident that the enhanced dialog which our co-location has allowed will feed into the important conversations taking place.”

SOURCE GSMA

Continue Reading

Technology

Club Offers for Travel Enthusiasts in Germany

Published

on

By

BERLIN, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), the club for travel enthusiasts, announces five of many new Club Offers for Club Members in Germany.

Rigorously vetted and negotiated for us travel enthusiasts:

FROM €99 PP—HESSE: 3 DAYS AT A CASTLE HOTEL WITH DINNER IN THE KNIGHTS’ HALL
A crackling fireplace and historic suits of armor on the walls: a cozy winter evening at Staufenberg Castle. Included for us Club Members: a 3-course dinner in the Knights’ Hall, which is more than 500 years old.

€499 PP—TUSCANY: VILLA WITH COOKING CLASS & 6-COURSE DINNER
“Fantastic cooking class, wonderful wine tasting, excellent dinner.” Club Members love Villa Patriarca, which is why we’ve negotiated another offer. Save 50% for three nights in a junior suite compared to the market price.

FROM €299 PP—NEW 5-STAR HOTEL IN PORTO WITH FLIGHTS
Three nights in a prime location next to the historic city walls. Views of the Douro River from the outdoor hot tub. A special price to celebrate the opening of this boutique hotel: the offer regularly costs €580.

€89 PP—3 DAYS AT A BOUTIQUE HOTEL ON SYLT
A ship’s wheel on the wall and a historic nautical chart on the ceiling. Or Delft tiles in the bathroom and a tiger-print rug. Every room at Haus Noge is unique. In the off-season, we travel enthusiasts pay €89 instead of €267 per person.

FROM €399 PP—TURKEY: 1 WEEK ALL-INCLUSIVE WITH FLIGHTS
Relax on a sandy beach and soak up the sun at the start of the season in April. Included for Club Members: a sea-view room and all meals and drinks. There’s also a sports and entertainment program, from beach volleyball to tennis.

Are you a travel enthusiast? Join the club today: https://travelzoo.com

Who are we?
We, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts. We reach 30 million travelers. Club Members receive Club Offers negotiated and rigorously vetted by our deal experts around the globe. Our relationships with thousands of top travel companies give us access to irresistible deals. Our club and its benefits are built around the lifestyle of a modern travel enthusiast.

Travelzoo
Unter den Linden 40
10117 Berlin

Media Contact: 
Natalia Cwierz – Berlin
+49 30 311 975 20
ncwierz@travelzoo.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/club-offers-for-travel-enthusiasts-in-germany-302932690.html

SOURCE Travelzoo

Continue Reading

Trending