Nissan on the road to self-driving cars

Nissan has a Leaf prototype vehicle testing around its Yokohama HQ. Photo: Nissan

Nissan is closer to launching a fully autonomous vehicle with a trial of a Leaf prototype vehicle as the company aims for a fully self-driving vehicle by 2027.

The Leaf prototype vehicle incorporates 14 cameras, 10 radars and 6 LIDAR sensors and testing in complex urban environments.

Compared to earlier prototypes the company has demonstrated, the latest test vehicle features an array of roof-mounted sensors, significantly expanding the detection area and enabling more accurate detection of its surroundings.

As a result, recognition performance, behavioural prediction, and judgment functions, as well as control functions have been enhanced, delivering smooth operation in a variety of complex scenarios.

Around the busy streets of Yokohama, close to Nissan’s global headquarters in Japan, the Leaf prototype is able to smoothly demonstrate its ability to predict the behaviour of pedestrians, conduct lane changes when merging, and judge when to safely enter intersections.

Nissan has been studying business models for future mobility services since fiscal year 2017.

While the current demonstration is being conducted at SAE Level 2 equivalent with a safety driver present, the company aims to continue to expand functionality and to begin offering autonomous-drive mobility services within Japan, starting in fiscal year 2027, working with third parties such as local authorities and transport operators.