The prototype version of the Nissan Leaf is equipped with 14 cameras, 10 radars, and 6 Lidar sensors, which substantially increase its detection range and enhance the accuracy of its environmental perception.
Nissan has initiated demonstrations of a prototype vehicle featuring the company’s proprietary autonomous driving technologies, marking a significant advancement towards achieving its goal of launching autonomous mobility services by fiscal year 2027.
The prototype, a Nissan Leaf, is outfitted with an impressive suite of sensory equipment including 14 cameras, 10 radars, and 6 Lidar sensors. This configuration showcases the Japanese automaker’s advancements in autonomous driving technology, especially in handling the complexities of urban environments. The vehicle’s latest iteration boasts a series of roof-mounted sensors which considerably widen its detection capabilities and improve the precision with which it perceives its environment. Consequently, the prototype exhibits enhanced capabilities in recognizing objects, predicting behaviors, making judgements, and executing control, ensuring smooth navigation across various challenging scenarios. In the bustling city streets near Nissan’s global headquarters in Yokohama, the Leaf prototype adeptly maneuvers, demonstrating its capabilities to anticipate pedestrian actions, merge lanes seamlessly, and make safe decisions at intersections.
Since 2017, Nissan has been exploring business models for next-generation mobility services. Although the current tests are conducted at an SAE Level 2 equivalent with a safety driver, Nissan is committed to escalating the functionality and aims to launch autonomous-drive mobility services in Japan from fiscal year 2027, in collaboration with local authorities and transportation operators.
By the fourth quarter of this fiscal year, Nissan plans to initiate trial runs in the Minato Mirai district, with an objective to advance to service demonstration tests by fiscal year 2025. These trials will gradually escalate the level of autonomous functionality while evaluating consumer reception, aiming to eventually offer driverless services.
This initiative is part of a broader collaboration with key Japanese government agencies including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; and other central ministries. These bodies are also actively supporting the development of new autonomous mobility services through the Level 4 Mobility Acceleration Committee.
Nissan envisions that its long-term strategy will enhance mobility by addressing the transportation challenges faced by local communities, particularly in Japan, where demographic shifts such as an aging population have led to a shortage of drivers.
