TIER IV Plans Autonomous Bus Tests in Saudi Arabia

Oct 5, 2026
TIER IV received a Japanese government grant to develop and test autonomous buses in Saudi Arabia. The company will adapt its software using local data before expanding tests from closed environments to public roads.

TIER IV received a grant from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to develop and test autonomous buses in Saudi Arabia, the company announced in a press release. It will work with a European automaker to integrate its autonomous driving system into buses for the Saudi market.

TIER IV will train AI models with local data to account for the desert climate and traffic that drives on the right. Tests will begin in closed environments before expanding to public roads.

The project builds on TIER IV's 2025 agreement with Saudi digital services company Elm. TIER IV will also work with local transport operators, government authorities, and educational institutions on deployment requirements and science and engineering programs.

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