# Toyota takes a stake in Tier IV to bring Level 4 driving to the e-Palette by fiscal 2027

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/toyota-takes-a-stake-in-tier-iv-to-bring-level-4-driving-to-the-e-159be02b
Date: 10 Jun 2026
About: [Toyota](https://technooptimist.io/companies/toyota.md) · [e-Palette](https://technooptimist.io/vehicles/e-palette.md)
Original source: https://www.just-auto.com/news/toyota-tier-iv-l4-autonomous-vehicle-push/

Toyota bought about 1% of Tokyo self-driving startup Tier IV, an estimated ¥1bn, and signed a technology agreement to fit Tier IV's system to the e-Palette for Level 4 operation by fiscal 2027. Tier IV builds on Autoware, open-source driving software.

## Key facts

- Japan's government aims for Level 4 services in 100 locations by fiscal 2027, partly to offset driver shortages.
- Toyota leans on self-driving buses in Japan and local robotaxi partners such as Pony.ai and Waymo abroad.
- Tier IV's other backers include Sony, KDDI, Suzuki and Isuzu.

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