Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has revealed its newest autonomous-drive (AD) technology, which represents a milestone for Japan’s mobility industry. In the world’s first such demonstration, a driverless test car safely navigated Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district streets.

The achievement is one of the long-term ambitions of Nissan to commercialize autonomous mobility services in Japan.

Tackling Mobility Challenges

By leveraging this proprietary AD technology, Nissan hopes to address critical transportation concerns, most notably the lack of drivers caused by Japan’s rapidly aging population. The project is intended to make mobility services convenient and efficient, providing more mobility freedom to society nationwide.

Global Research and Technological Advancements

Nissan’s research and development activities reach beyond Japan, integrating research findings from Silicon Valley and the U.K.’s evolvAD project.

Through these international partnerships, Nissan is able to develop its AD systems further and customize them for different traffic conditions.

Cutting-Edge Sensor Technology

The newest test cars, which are based on the Serena minivan—Japan’s top-selling model—are fitted with a suite of 14 cameras, nine radars, and six LiDAR sensors. The roof-mounted sensors leverage the height of the vehicle to improve detection accuracy, significantly enhancing the system’s capability to drive through complicated urban trails. Enhanced AI integration has also improved real-time recognition, behavior prediction, and control, making way for smooth operation in varied situations.

Where Safety Meets Reliability

In order to maintain the best standards of safety, the Nissan engineers have tested the car under various simulated scenarios stringently. Safety provisions involve an emergency stop and inherent redundancies to reduce possible threats.

Roadmap to Commercialization

As of fiscal year 2017, Nissan has been actively experimenting with AD technology. Going forward, it is scheduled to carry out service demonstration tests with around 20 cars in Yokohama from fiscal years 2025-2026.

By fiscal year 2027, Nissan plans to launch fully functional autonomous mobility services in partnership with municipalities and transport operators, with remote monitoring features.

Government Support and Industry Collaboration

The project has the support of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and Yokohama City. These authorities are actively promoting the creation of autonomous mobility services through their Level 4 Mobility Acceleration Committee, creating a suitable ecosystem for technological innovations.

Looking Ahead

With its recent achievements, Nissan not only is stretching the boundaries of autonomous driving but also is leading to a brighter, safer, and more inclusive future in the realm of futuristic mobility.

With a focus on relentless research and strategic partnerships, Nissan is optimally positioned to lead the transport services revolution in Japan and the globe alike.