Nissan tests fully driverless cars on the streets of Tokyo ahead of their launch in 2020

  • ProPILOT operates autonomously on urban roads and freeways using AI
  • It has 12 sonars, 12 cameras, nine millimetre-wave radars and six laser scanners
  • Developers say this allows it to analyse complex scenarios in real time
  • It can navigate even the most challenging city conditions, developers say

Nissan has tested a prototype of its most advanced autonomous car on public roads in Tokyo with the final product due to be ready by 2020.

The ProPILOT operates autonomously on urban roads and freeways using artificial intelligence from 12 sonars, 12 cameras, nine millimetre-wave radars, six laser scanners and a high-definition map.

Developers say this allows it to analyse complex scenarios in real time and navigate even the most challenging city conditions such as crossing busy intersections.

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Nissan has tested a prototype of its most advanced autonomous car on public roads in Tokyo with the final product due to be ready by 2020

Nissan has tested a prototype of its most advanced autonomous car on public roads in Tokyo with the final product due to be ready by 2020

PROPILOT PROTOTYPE

The ProPILOT operates autonomously on urban roads and freeways using artificial intelligence from 12 sonars, 12 cameras, nine millimetre-wave radars, six laser scanners and a high-definition map.

Developers say this allows it to analyse complex scenarios in real time and navigate even the most challenging city conditions such as crossing busy intersections.

Nissan tested the next-generation ProPILOT technology on a modified Infiniti Q50 sports sedan. 

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'Our next-generation ProPILOT prototype showcases technology that will be available for real-world use from 2020', said Takao Asami, Nissan's senior vice president in charge of research and advanced engineering.

'Today's demonstration is another example of our successful work toward creating an autonomous driving future for all', he said. 

Nissan tested the next-generation ProPILOT technology on a modified Infiniti Q50 sports sedan. 

Earlier this week, Nissan unveiled an all-electric zero-emissions Nissan IMx crossover, with a claimed driving range of more than 373 miles (600km).

It was unveiled today at the Tokyo Motor Show in Japan and marks the start of a wider self-driving Leaf family.

The ProPILOT operates autonomously on urban roads and freeways using artificial intelligence from 12 sonars, 12 cameras, nine millimetre-wave radars, six laser scanners and a high-definition map

The ProPILOT operates autonomously on urban roads and freeways using artificial intelligence from 12 sonars, 12 cameras, nine millimetre-wave radars, six laser scanners and a high-definition map

It has ProPILOT technology that enables single-lane autonomous driving on highways. 

Nissan said the latest IMx prototype SUV is propelled by a pair of high-output electric motors at the front and rear, giving it all-wheel-drive capability. 

Developers say this allows it to analyse complex scenarios in real time and navigate even the most challenging city conditions such as crossing busy intersections

Developers say this allows it to analyse complex scenarios in real time and navigate even the most challenging city conditions such as crossing busy intersections

FIVE KEY LESSONS  

According to a report about autonomous vehicles by the Boston Consulting Group, five key lessons that policymakers, planners and other private and public-sector stakeholders should keep in mind are: 

  1. Autonomous vehicles come in many different forms
  2. Each city's unique context and needs matter
  3. Cities don't have to own or even operate the new transportation assets, they just need to enable deployment. 
  4. Having a digital mobility platform is critical for traffic management as well as for customer reservations
  5. Cities must take the lead in establishing a governance structure and testing policy  
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Since December last year, Nissan has been using driverless cars to tow other vehicles around its production facility in Japan. 

The self-driving Leaf cars tow vehicles on a trailer to the wharf for loading without anyone behind the steering wheel. 

The technology is currently being tested at Nissan's Oppama production in in Yokohama, near Tokyo.

The Japanese automaker hopes to use the cars throughout the plant by 2019, potentially rolling out the technology to plants overseas in future.

Nissan is one of several companies looking to develop autonomous cars.  

Today it was announced Waymo is expanding winter testing as it works to address a potential blind spot for autonomous vehicles: snowy and icy conditions. 

Waymo said Michigan is the sixth state where the self-driving car project will test autonomous vehicles. 

Nissan tested the next-generation ProPILOT technology on a modified Infiniti Q50 sports sedan. Nissan is one of several companies looking to develop autonomous cars

Nissan tested the next-generation ProPILOT technology on a modified Infiniti Q50 sports sedan. Nissan is one of several companies looking to develop autonomous cars

'Our next-generation ProPILOT prototype showcases technology that will be available for real-world use from 2020', said Takao Asami, Nissan's senior vice president in charge of research and advanced engineering

'Our next-generation ProPILOT prototype showcases technology that will be available for real-world use from 2020', said Takao Asami, Nissan's senior vice president in charge of research and advanced engineering

The company chose the state to see how vehicles will respond in snow, sleet, and ice.

Waymo has been testing vehicles in Texas, Arizona, Washington State, Nevada and California and starts in Michigan next week on public roads with a backup safety driver sitting in the driver seat if necessary. 

Many self-driving vehicles from numerous companies have been struck by inattentive or careless drivers in California, according to reports to filed with the state.

'Today's demonstration is another example of our successful work toward creating an autonomous driving future for all', he said

'Today's demonstration is another example of our successful work toward creating an autonomous driving future for all', he said

Since December last year, Nissan has been using driverless cars to tow other vehicles around its production facility in Japan

Since December last year, Nissan has been using driverless cars to tow other vehicles around its production facility in Japan

 

 

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