Nissan starts testing first electric prototype featuring piloted drive

Nissan announced that they began their first development tests of an autonomous prototype on public roads.

Nissan has confirmed they are in the process of developing autonomous driving technology for application on several of its cars, including the GT-R and 370Z.

Nissan aims to reach “zero emissions” target with its new age vehicles emitting zero percent carbon dioxide. Both of them are fitted on Nissan’s autonomous prototype in order to get them ready for production. The second is to defy Mortal Kombat with a no-fatality goal by reducing traffic accidents to near-zero through artificially intelligent safety technologies and self-driving vehicles. Finally, by 2020, Nissan hopes to fulfill its autonomous drive promise by allowing vehicles to manage urban streets, including intersections, entirely autonomously. Nissan’s electric and self-driving auto could be ready for city-traffic management by year 2020. These tests are planned for Japan as well as overseas in the near future. Nissan has made a major leap in self-driving technology by launching prototype of its self-driving auto on Japanese roads this week. So it will be like driving the regular Nissan cars will require less intervention on part of the drivers.

The experimental Leaf is now equipped with features including millimeter wave radar scanners, multiple cameras, high-speed computer chips, and a specialized HMI (Human Machine Interface). The first one is a miniature high-spec laser scanner which is now on a prototype phase.

AutoExpress recently sat down with Nissan’s Global Vice President for Research and Advanced Engineering, Takao Asami.

The other new technology is an 8-way, 360-degree view camera system that allows for accurate routing decisions when driving through intersections and sharp curving roads. “Nissan aspires for a safe and trouble-free motoring future, and we plan on leading the industry in the implementation of piloted drive”.

If this prototype goes well, it could potentially achieve both Zero goals in one swoop (especially since we already have video evidence from a different autonomous driving software that prevented a wreck).