Nissan tests autonomous-drive technology ahead of mobility service launch

Japanese automaker Nissan has tested its autonomous-drive technology vehicle on public roads ahead of its driverless service launch. 

The company announced this on 10 March, saying it’s the first time in Japan a test vehicle with no driver in the car has navigated a public road in a complex urban environment like Yokohama’s Minato Mirai area.

Solving transport challenges 

Japan is one of the countries working to maintain a high birth rate. This is however not a reality yet and the older population is aging, which leads to a shortage of drivers.

Nissan is solving the problem of this shortage by rolling out driverless vehicles that can significantly reduce the pressure on the few available ones.

The auto giant is ensuring that the autonomous vehicles are fully adapted to the traffic conditions of different countries. 

To achieve this, it is utilizing insights and technologies gained through research in Japan, research in Silicon Valley conducted by the Nissan Advanced Technology Center, and participation in the U.K.’s evolvAD project.

Based on Japan’s top selling minivan the Serena, the latest test vehicles incorporate 14 cameras, nine radars and six LiDAR sensors. 

With the roof mounted sensors, the vehicles also have significantly expanded detection which leverages the height of the Serena and enables more accurate detection  of its surroundings, compared to earlier test vehicles. 

With AI also incorporated, the vehicle has significantly enhanced recognition, behavioral prediction and judgment as well as control, delivering smooth operation in a variety of complex scenarios.

The vehicles is also built with an extensive number of possible scenarios along the driving route incorporated, an immediate stop function for emergencies, and intentional redundancies to enhance the safety of the test vehicle demonstration.

Years of testing

Nissan has been demonstrating and testing AD technology since 2017, and is now planning service demonstration tests involving approximately 20 vehicles to take place in Yokohama in 2025 to 2026.

Based on the outcome, the company intends to provide autonomous driving mobility services, in collaboration with municipalities and transportation operators, with remote monitoring.

Indeed, Nissan is leading in technology advancement, especially in AI integration. The company became the first non-Chinese automaker to integrate DeepSeek in its vehicles.