Nissan Motor Co. has recently showcased its latest advancements in autonomous driving (AD) technology with a real-world demonstration in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district. This marks a significant milestone for Japan, as it is the first instance of a test vehicle navigating public roads in a complex urban setting without a human driver inside the car. The automaker is developing its proprietary AD system to support an upcoming mobility service planned for launch in Japan.
The trials are being conducted using remote-controlled AD systems that align with Japan’s deregulation guidelines, which permit vehicles equipped with remote autonomous driving capabilities to operate on public roads under specific conditions. These systems meet SAE Level 2 automation standards, meaning a remote operator can intervene and take manual control of the vehicle if necessary. Throughout the testing phase, Nissan ensures that each vehicle is monitored closely to maintain safety and reliability.
Nissan is fully committed to refining and validating AD technology tailored to diverse traffic environments worldwide. The company is leveraging insights from extensive research conducted in Japan, technological developments from its Advanced Technology Center in Silicon Valley, and its active participation in the UK’s evolvAD project. This global approach allows Nissan to refine its autonomous technology and adapt it to various regulatory and road conditions.
The test vehicles used in this demonstration are based on the Serena, Japan’s best-selling minivan. These vehicles are equipped with a sophisticated sensor suite comprising 14 cameras, nine radars, and six lidar sensors. The roof-mounted sensor array enhances the system’s ability to detect and interpret its surroundings with a broader field of view compared to previous models. The increased height of the Serena further improves accuracy in identifying obstacles and navigating through traffic seamlessly.
Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role in Nissan’s autonomous system, significantly improving the vehicle’s ability to recognize objects, predict behaviors, and make real-time driving decisions. This enhancement ensures smooth maneuvering through challenging scenarios, making the technology more adaptable to real-world conditions. Nissan engineers have also introduced multiple safety features, including an emergency stop function and built-in redundancies, to ensure the highest level of safety during test operations.
Since the 2017 fiscal year, Nissan has been actively testing and demonstrating AD technology, refining its systems through rigorous on-road trials. Looking ahead, the company plans to scale up its testing by deploying approximately 20 autonomous vehicles for service demonstration trials in Yokohama between fiscal years 2025 and 2026. During this period, Nissan will also collaborate with stakeholders to develop a robust operational framework and service ecosystem for autonomous mobility solutions.
By fiscal year 2027, Nissan aims to launch fully autonomous driving mobility services in partnership with municipalities and transportation operators. These services will incorporate remote monitoring capabilities, allowing for safe and efficient driverless transportation. With continuous advancements and real-world validation, Nissan is positioning itself at the forefront of autonomous mobility, paving the way for a future where driverless vehicles become an integral part of everyday transportation.
