NISSAN

Nissan's new autonomous driving system

Nissan has unveiled a new generation of its ProPILOT driver assistance system, a technology that promises safer and more relaxed driving in the most complex urban environments.

During a demonstration in Tokyo, Tetsuya Iijima, Nissan's director of driver assistance technology development, told Auto News:

"Our system is similar to Tesla's Full Self-Driving, but maybe even a little smarter."

He added that the system was developed to better cope with the narrow, crowded streets of Tokyo, full of pedestrians. Of course, Tesla's technology is already available, while Nissan's will have to wait at least another year and a half for the public, and initially probably only in the Japanese market.

However, unlike Tesla, Nissan emphasizes that it is a Level 2 system - the driver must monitor the driving and be ready to take control at any time.

According to Index.hr, the system will be available on the Japanese market from fiscal year 2027, and was recently shown in Tokyo for the first time in real conditions.

A fleet of prototypes based on the Ariya electric crossover has shown that the new technology can independently overcome narrow streets, intersections and unpredictable situations with pedestrians. The vehicles are equipped with a total of 11 cameras, five radars and a LiDAR sensor on the roof, which allows for the recognition of objects at greater distances, even at higher speeds and at night.

The key difference of the new generation of ProPILOT is the cooperation with the British company Wayve, whose AI Driver software uses advanced artificial intelligence. Unlike classic systems that react to individual objects, Wayve AI observes the entire traffic scene. The system understands how the situation is developing and predicts what could happen. In this way, the system behaves like an experienced and careful driver.

The speed of data processing allows for immediate reactions to sudden changes, from the appearance of a pedestrian at a zebra crossing to the sudden braking of a vehicle in front. The result is a more natural and safer driving experience in complex urban environments.

Previous versions of ProPILOT have focused on highway driving – from simple single-lane assistance to ProPILOT 2.0, which enables hands-free driving. With the new generation, Nissan wants to take autonomous driving to urban environments as well.

Nissan's Chief Technology Officer, Eiichi Akashi, points out: "Our current ProPILOT 2.0 system has been well received, but the new generation brings even more advanced capabilities. It will give drivers the feeling of a skilled and reliable human being behind the wheel. The system will adapt to more complex traffic conditions and provide greater safety – not only for the driver, but for all road users."

The new generation of ProPILOT is part of Nissan's vision for sustainable and safe mobility. The company wants to consolidate its position as a leader in technologies that enable cleaner, safer and more accessible transportation.

Autonews