Nissan Leaf is Japan's First Licensed Autonomous Car

NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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will demonstrate the first autonomous vehicle to be licensed to drive on Japanese roads during the CEATEC Japan 2013 Exhibition. The car is based on a Nissan LeafNissan LEAFJapan, 2009 > present29 versions
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and is able to drive on city streets with no driver intervention.

“In 2007 I pledged that – by 2010 – Nissan would mass market a zero-emission vehicle. Today, the Nissan LEAF is the best-selling electric vehicle in history. Now I am committing to be ready to introduce a new ground-breaking technology, Autonomous Drive, by 2020, and we are on track to realize it,” said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.

The autonomous Leaf is equipped with five laser scanners and five cameras that monitor 360 degrees around the car. The system’s artificial intelligence detects other vehicles and predicts their movements. During the demonstration, Nissan will have other vehicles being driven by actual people and simulate potentially risky situations.

Nissan claims that the system can accomplish driving behaviors like lane keeping, exiting highways, changing lanes, overtaking slower vehicles, decelerating and stopping at red lights.

Drivers can intervene in the system whenever they choose.

The car just received the license to drive on public roads and testing will begin in the coming weeks.

Nissan’s exhibit at the show will include a simulated Japanese roadway with the car driving on it. Nissan also has a version of the car tuned for highways, but the city version will be shown at the exhibition because of lack of space.

Nissan is also building a proving ground specifically for autonomous driving vehicles in Oppama, Japan.

“The realization of the Autonomous Drive system is one of our greatest goals, because Zero Fatalities stands alongside Zero Emissions as major objective of Nissan's R&D. Through public road testing, we will further develop the safety, efficiency and reliability of our technology,” said Mitsuhiko Yamashita, Nissan head of research and development.

The current leader in autonomous vehicle technology is Mercedes-BenzMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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that has built an S500Mercedes-Benz S 500 SWBGermany, 2014 > present that can autonomously drive a pre-determined route over hundreds of kilometers.

Mercedes Completes 100km Public Drive of Autonomous S-Class in Germany