Japan's TIER IV wins government grant for autonomous bus tests in Saudi Arabia

Japanese autonomous-driving company TIER IV has been selected by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for a grant programme supporting collaborative technology initiatives in the Global South, the company announced on Sunday.

Through the programme, TIER IV will conduct autonomous bus field operational tests in Saudi Arabia, using autonomous driving technology with what it describes as a proven track record in Japan. The company says it aims to help deliver safe, scalable mobility services adapted for local conditions, and will also run talent development initiatives aimed at contributing to the local workforce.

The tests fit Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, under which the kingdom has set a target of making 15 per cent of public transportation autonomous by 2030. TIER IV said that in September 2025 it signed a memorandum of understanding with Elm, a developer of digital services and autonomous technologies, and that it will now deepen collaboration with automakers, autonomous driving technology providers and local transport operators to build a business model for future commercial operations.

Sources: company announcement via PR Newswire https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20261004cn62532/tier-iv-secures-japanese-government-grant-to-advance-autonomous-bus-field-operational-tests-and-talent-development-in-saudi-arabia ; The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/10/05/tmt-newswire/pr-newswire/tier-iv-secures-japanese-government-grant-to-advance-autonomous-bus-field-operational-tests-and-talent-development-in-saudi-arabia/2438691 ; Taiwan News https://taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/6451818