Yamaha announces 3rd investment in Tier IV, Inc.

eve autonomy 2

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it has made additional investments in Nagoya-based tech company, Tier IV, Inc.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • When did Yamaha make investments in Tier IV, Inc.?

    Yamaha made prior investments in Tier IV in August 2017 and in July 2019.
  • What is the name of Yamaha and Tier IV's joint venture?

    Yamaha and Tier IV's joint venture, launched in 2020, is named eve autonomy, Inc.
  • tier iv logo

    This is Yamaha Motor’s third investment in the company following those made in August 2017 and July 2019. The additional investment, explained Yamaha, is for the Series B round financing through third-party allotment by Tier IV. Here, Yamaha is joined by other investors which include Sompo Holdings, Inc. and Bridgestone Corporation.

    According to Yamaha, the additional investment made by the company is aimed toward establishing autonomous driving technology as well as promoting its commercialization, including its automated transport solutions business for factory grounds.

    eve autonomy 1

    There has been no announcement as to how automated driving can affect Yamaha’s product offerings or if the Iwata-based motorcycle company will release a self-driving motorbike. However, Yamaha and Tier IV launched a joint venture in 2020 (eve autonomy, Inc.) that aims to develop an autonomous transportation service to help Yamaha Motor and other companies address chronic labor shortages and growing needs for high-mix low-volume production.

    eve autonomy logo

    Yamaha Motor Director and Mobility Technology Division General Manager Makoto Shimamoto said in a prior press release that “eve autonomy will provide an autonomous transportation service for extra-efficient labor-saving production. By combining Yamaha Motor’s expertise in hardware and reliability with Tier IV’s speed and cutting-edge technologies, I believe we will create unprecedented value.”

    “This collaboration between a leading Japanese company like Yamaha Motor and a deep-tech startup like Tier IV will be highly competitive on the global stage. By combining the expertise of our joint team and the capabilities of our Autoware, we aim to revolutionize autonomous transportation services. With the tough times the world is currently facing, we will do our best to provide something positive,” commented Tier IV Founder and CTO Shinpei Kato, in a similar press release in 2020.

    Photos from Tier IV Inc. and eve autonomy, Inc.

    Also read: 

    Yamaha develops new TY-E 2.0 electric enduro

    Yamaha PH adds Fazzio to Mio roster

    Yamaha PH brings in race-bred YRF-R15M

    Read All

    Featured Articles

    Recommended Articles For You

    Read All

    Featured Yamaha Motorcycles

    Yamaha Motorcycle Articles From Zigwheels

    • News
    • Article Feature
    • Is this the new PH-spec Yamaha Sniper155?
      Is this the new PH-spec Yamaha Sniper155?
      Ruben Manahan IV . Mar 20, 2024
    • Yamaha PH racing team's campaign starts strong
      Yamaha PH racing team's campaign starts strong
      Ruben Manahan IV . Mar 19, 2024
    • Yamaha PH introduces riders for 2024 season
      Yamaha PH introduces riders for 2024 season
      Paulo Papa . Mar 12, 2024
    • Yamaha flagship shop celebrates 14th anniversary, opens redesigned showroom
      Yamaha flagship shop celebrates 14th anniversary, opens redesigned showroom
      Paulo Papa . Mar 01, 2024
    • Yamaha PH holds annual dealer summit
      Yamaha PH holds annual dealer summit
      Paulo Papa . Feb 16, 2024
    • Lightweight naked bike battle: Suzuki GSX S150 vs. Yamaha MT15
      Lightweight naked bike battle: Suzuki GSX S150 vs. Yamaha MT15
      Paulo Papa . Feb 05, 2024
    • Battle of the naked bikes: Suzuki GSX 8S vs. Yamaha MT09
      Battle of the naked bikes: Suzuki GSX 8S vs. Yamaha MT09
      Paulo Papa . Feb 02, 2024
    • Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE vs. the competition
      Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE vs. the competition
      Hazel Nicole Carreon . Jan 25, 2024
    • Here are your alternatives to the Suzuki Gixxer Fi
      Here are your alternatives to the Suzuki Gixxer Fi
      Paulo Papa . Jan 25, 2024
    • Suzuki Skydrive Sport vs. the competition
      Suzuki Skydrive Sport vs. the competition
      Paulo Papa . Jan 25, 2024