SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 17, 2025 – In a major move to make autonomous driving more accessible, Tier IV has unveiled the DTV Kit — a ready-to-drive development platform designed to jumpstart innovation in self-driving technology.
The new kit is an ideal gateway for developers and researchers who want to work hands-on with autonomous vehicles. By simplifying the complex setup and system integration normally associated with this field, Tier IV is making it easier for a broader audience to experiment, test, and deploy cutting-edge mobility solutions.
Lowering Barriers to Autonomous Development
With autonomous driving often requiring significant technical resources and expertise, the DTV Kit offers a welcome alternative. Developed in partnership with Whale Dynamic, the vehicle is fully compatible with Autoware — the open-source software that underpins many autonomous systems.
The DTV Kit provides:
- A complete drivable test vehicle with synchronized ECUs and sensors
- Out-of-the-box compatibility with Autoware and Tier IV’s Web.Auto DevOps platform
- A flexible, reusable hardware and software system that adapts to custom configurations
This streamlined setup eliminates the need for time-consuming calibration and enables developers to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure.
Hands-On Learning with Real-World Testing
Tier IV offers in-depth training through the Autoware Partner Program. Developers who complete the program gain access to both the DTV Kit and the cloud-native Web.Auto platform, allowing them to:
- Rapidly build and test autonomous driving systems
- Validate simulation results in real-world driving environments
- Reduce preparation time and system complexity
“This kit is designed for Autoware users seeking hands-on experience operating Autoware with a real vehicle, or validating autonomous driving systems built on Autoware in real-world driving environments,” the company stated.
Scalable and Future-Proof
The DTV Kit uses hardware from Tier IV’s Edge.Auto platform, bridging the gap between early-stage prototyping and full-scale production. Its modular approach allows for:
- Standalone component usage
- Modifications to sensor configurations
- A seamless path from development to deployment
By supporting scalable DevOps workflows and adaptable configurations, the kit empowers developers to evolve their projects without starting from scratch.
Availability and How to Get Started
The DTV Kit is now available to participants of the Tier IV Autoware Partner Program. This initiative provides not just the tools, but also the guidance needed to make autonomous technology development more efficient, practical, and rewarding.
Whether you’re a startup founder, university researcher, or robotics engineer, this kit could be the missing link between your concept and a street-ready autonomous vehicle.
Learn more at https://tier4.jp.