Tier IV has launched Minibus 2.0 – the latest addition to its fanfare line-up of autonomous EVs. Building on its Minibus 1.0, the new model incorporates high-demand features through which Tier IV is aiming to meet the evolving needs of the autonomous vehicle market. The fanfare brand itself was launched by Tier IV in 2023 as a solution for brands looking to develop autonomous vehicles under their own names.
Minibus 2.0 has been designed to comply with the Japanese government’s Level 4 autonomous driving criteria, and includes an enhanced redundancy system that helps support safety in Level 4 operations. The autonomous driving development kit powering Minibus 2.0 features a next-generation architecture, optimized for compatibility with Tier IV’s reference designs, and is equipped with a suite of sensors.
Within this suite are long- and short-range LiDARs, object and traffic light detection cameras, radar sensors, an inertial measurement unit, and a global navigation satellite system sensor. The suite is fully compatible with TIER IV’s electronic and vehicle control units, in turn optimizing the autonomous driving performance offered by Minibus 2.0.
Tier IV confirmed that it expects to deliver Minibus 2.0 to initial customers by late 2024, with further initial deployments planned for regions across Japan in the future. Moving forward, the company is more broadly aiming to expand local enterprise-led deployments and explore international opportunities to meet the rising demand for autonomous buses.
