Tier IV CEO Says Communication Is Key to Autonomous Driving

Tier IV CEO Highlights Communication’s Role in Autonomous Driving

Shinpei Kato, president and CEO of Tier IV Inc., said communication infrastructure can significantly improve autonomous driving performance during the Autonomous Driving–Era “Next-Generation ITS Communications” and Future Mobility Creating a Regional Ecosystem session at CEATEC 2026. The event is being held at Makuhari Messe in Mihama Ward, Chiba City, Japan. Kato explained that autonomous driving technology can operate without communication systems, but its performance can improve substantially when communication capabilities are available. His remarks highlighted the importance of communication infrastructure in supporting autonomous driving services and their broader social implementation. He also emphasized that the successful adoption of autonomous driving depends on users experiencing its safety and comfort, making communication an important part of the overall mobility ecosystem.

Communication Infrastructure Can Improve Autonomous Driving Services

Kato emphasized that communication is essential for autonomous driving services, expressing his expectation that infrastructure will be established to support their implementation in society. Although autonomous driving technology can function without communication systems, integrating communication can help improve its performance. His comments point to the importance of considering connectivity alongside the development of autonomous driving technology. The relationship between these capabilities is particularly relevant as companies and other stakeholders work toward practical deployment. For Tier IV Inc, the discussion highlighted how communication infrastructure can complement AI-driven autonomous technology and support the delivery of autonomous driving services. The statement did not specify particular communication technologies, infrastructure deployment schedules, or quantified performance improvements.

Safety, Comfort, and User Acceptance

Kato said AI-driven autonomous technology represents a source of competitive advantage, but he stressed that widespread adoption depends on users experiencing safety and comfort. In his view, communication is an important part of achieving that objective. The distinction places the emphasis not only on technological capability but also on the experience of people using autonomous driving services. Even when autonomous systems can operate independently of communication infrastructure, connectivity remains a consideration in improving their performance and supporting service delivery. Kato’s remarks therefore connect technology development with the conditions required for broader acceptance. However, the shared statement did not identify specific safety metrics, user studies, communication standards, or deployment examples demonstrating the extent of these benefits.

Japan’s Mobility Industry and Competitiveness

Kato also connected communication-enabled autonomous driving with Japan’s industrial competitiveness. He emphasized that communication is important not only to the underlying technology but also to strengthening the country’s position in the evolving mobility industry. The discussion at CEATEC 2026 brought together the themes of next-generation intelligent transport system communications and regional mobility ecosystem development. These themes are relevant to the practical implementation of autonomous driving because services require more than a functioning autonomous vehicle technology stack. Communication infrastructure, service delivery, and user experience are all considerations in the broader ecosystem. Kato expressed an expectation that the necessary infrastructure would be established, but the shared article did not announce a specific government initiative, investment commitment, infrastructure project, or implementation deadline for Japan.

Next-Generation ITS Communications and Future Mobility

The CEATEC 2026 session focused on next-generation ITS communications and the creation of regional future mobility ecosystems in the autonomous driving era. Kato’s contribution highlighted the complementary roles of AI-driven autonomous technology and communication infrastructure. His remarks suggest that discussions about autonomous driving implementation should consider how communication can improve system performance and support services that users find safe and comfortable. This perspective is relevant to stakeholders working on connected mobility and autonomous driving deployment in Japan. Nevertheless, the shared article provides no technical specifications, named communication protocols, partnership announcements, or detailed regional deployment plans. The central message is that autonomous driving can operate without communication systems, while communication is expected to improve performance and support broader social implementation.

Industry Impact & Outlook

Tier IV’s position highlights communication infrastructure as a complementary component of autonomous driving deployment, alongside advances in AI-driven technology. For Japan’s automotive and mobility ecosystem, the practical challenge is to translate technical capabilities into services that users experience as safe and comfortable. Kato’s remarks also indicate that the development of connected mobility should be considered in the context of national industrial competitiveness and regional implementation. Future progress will depend on how relevant stakeholders develop and deploy the necessary infrastructure, although the shared article does not identify specific projects, investment levels, or deadlines. The broader significance is that autonomous driving adoption involves both vehicle technology and the supporting systems needed to deliver effective services in real-world settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Tier IV CEO Shinpei Kato say about autonomous driving and communication?
Shinpei Kato said autonomous driving technology can operate without communication systems, but its performance can improve significantly when communication is available. Speaking at CEATEC 2026, he emphasized that communication is essential for autonomous driving services and expressed his expectation that infrastructure would be established to support their social implementation. He also explained that AI-driven autonomous technology can provide a competitive advantage, while widespread adoption depends on users experiencing safety and comfort. His comments highlighted communication as an important complement to autonomous driving technology rather than a prerequisite for the technology to function at all.

Why is communication infrastructure important for autonomous driving services?
Communication infrastructure can complement autonomous driving technology and help improve its performance, according to Tier IV CEO Shinpei Kato. He emphasized that communication is essential for autonomous driving services and expressed the expectation that supporting infrastructure would be established for broader social implementation. His remarks also connect communication with the user experience, particularly the safety and comfort necessary for widespread adoption. The shared article does not specify which communication technologies are required or quantify their benefits. It establishes the broader point that communication should be considered alongside autonomous driving capabilities when developing and implementing mobility services.

How does autonomous driving relate to Japan’s industrial competitiveness?
Shinpei Kato linked communication-enabled autonomous driving with strengthening Japan’s industrial competitiveness during his remarks at CEATEC 2026. He emphasized that communication matters not only for autonomous driving technology itself but also for the development and implementation of related services. His comments placed the technology within a broader mobility ecosystem involving infrastructure and user experience. The article does not describe a specific industrial strategy, investment program, or government commitment. Instead, it presents Kato’s view that establishing communication infrastructure to support autonomous driving services can be important to the technology’s social implementation and Japan’s wider competitive position in the mobility industry.

What was the focus of the CEATEC 2026 session?
The session addressed next-generation intelligent transport system communications and the creation of a regional future mobility ecosystem in the autonomous driving era. It was held at CEATEC 2026 at Makuhari Messe in Mihama Ward, Chiba City, Japan. Tier IV CEO Shinpei Kato discussed how communication can improve autonomous driving performance and support services intended for broader social implementation. He also emphasized the importance of safety and comfort in encouraging widespread adoption. The shared article does not provide a complete session agenda or identify additional speakers, specific technical demonstrations, or formal announcements made during the session.

Does autonomous driving require communication systems to operate?
According to Tier IV CEO Shinpei Kato, autonomous driving technology can operate without communication systems, although its performance can improve significantly when communication is available. His statement distinguishes the ability of autonomous technology to function from the additional benefits that communication infrastructure can provide. He also stressed the importance of communication for autonomous driving services and their implementation in society. The shared article does not explain the technical operating conditions, system architecture, or specific functions that may depend on connectivity. Therefore, it supports the general distinction between autonomous operation and the potential performance benefits of communication without establishing that every autonomous driving system has identical requirements.