Nissan Demonstrates Autonomous-Drive Mobility Services on Public Roads in Japan

Nissan has commenced demonstrations of a prototype vehicle equipped with its in-house-developed, autonomous drive technologies on public roads in Japan. The demonstration showcases progress in its goal towards rolling out autonomous mobility services within fiscal year 2027.

The Nissan LEAF prototype vehicle incorporates 14 cameras, 10 radars and 6 LIDAR sensors.

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, behavioral prediction, and judgment functions, as well as control functions have been enhanced delivering smooth operation in a variety of complex scenarios.

Around the streets of Yokohama, close to Nissan’s global headquarters in Japan, the LEAF prototype has shown its ability to predict the behaviour of pedestrians, conduct lane changes when merging, and judge when to safely enter intersections.

In the fourth quarter of this fiscal year, Nissan aims to begin trials in the Minato Mirai area, and plans to progress to service demonstration tests within fiscal year 2025.

In a press release, the company states: 'Nissan’s long-term vision is to empower mobility by solving transportation service issues faced by local communities. Local communities, particularly within Japan have been facing several mobility challenges, such as driver shortages, which are a result of an ageing population. Supporting a resolution to this challenge, Nissan will provide a broad range of new services that enable free movement'.

Nissan's initiative is being conducted in cooperation with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; and other central ministries.