Japan's Self-Driving Revolution: Nissan's Aim to Outshine by 2030
Get the inside scoop on Japan's autonomous driving race!
Nissan Plans to Obsolescence of Human Drivers by 2030
In a bold move to dominate the global autonomous driving market, Nissan plunges headfirst into Japan's mission to catch up with titans like Google's Waymo. Ambitious as ever, the company sets its sights on creating vehicles that can operate independently by 2030.
Cruising past a clogged city center, an empty van hums gracefully along, thanks to Nissan's groundbreaking driverless technology. This technology showcases Japan's determination to meet its ambitious rivals, including China and the United States, in the autonomous driving race.
During a packed demonstration, a self-driving vehicle navigates the busy streets, maintaining a steady 40km/h pace, all with a destination entered through a smartphone app. Equipped with 14 cameras, nine radar devices, and six LiDAR sensors both inside and out, the self-driving car doesn't lack for gadgets. Staying on course amid throngs of pedestrians and fellow vehicles, the self-driving van is expected to make a spectacular entrance on the Japanese market this year, with Waymo's self-driving taxis hot on its heels (with a human safety driver most likely on board).
Autonomous driving boasts several advantages for experienced automakers, says Takeshi Kimura of Nissan's Mobility and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Kimura explains that integration of self-driving technologies requires comprehension of the entire autosystem, including adapting sensors to car movements and monitoring sensors and computers for reliability and safety.
Presently, the Japanese government has only authorized the use of so-called level-four vehicles in a secluded rural region of Fukui prefecture. Though these vehicles resemble golf carts, a level-four bus operates in a limited area near Tokyo's Haneda Airport, approaching speeds of 12km/h. Nissan's autonomous vehicle, on the other hand, is a genuine car with complete mechanical functions and speed ranges. Toyota showcases its own "city" near Mount Fuji, a haven for employees and partner startups, specifically built to test technologies like autonomous driving. However, progress in Japan has so far been slow.
High consumer expectations bring a host of challenges for this rapidly advancing field. Many people harbor skepticism, and legal questions abound. Incidents involving driverless vehicles tend to raise more eyebrows than usual accidents. "If a human is driving, they take responsibility," muses Takeo Igarashi, professor at the University of Tokyo. "But when no one is driving, it's unclear who will be responsible." Additionally, Japanese consumers eagerly anticipate quality and perfection in self-driving cars, and settling for anything less could prove disastrous.
Nissan firmly contends its technology prioritizes safety. During a recent test, when the system failed, the car came to a smooth stop without incident. The field of autonomous vehicles is still in its infancy, according to Phil Koopman, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie-Mellon University. Autonomous vehicles still require time to develop the ability to handle rare but dangerous situations in cities before a magic switch can be flipped.
Keen on self-driving cars? Here's what you need to know:
- Why Nissan? - Nissan's active investment in autonomous driving technologies dates back to 2017, with programs like Humandrive and Servcity aimed at perfecting autonomous systems.[1]
- Urban Japan Tests - Nissan recently showcased its autonomous driving technology in Yokohama, Japan, using a modified Serena minivan that journeyed through complex urban environments with advanced sensors.[3]
- Collaboration with Government - Nissan is working closely with government bodies to advance ideas and develop autonomous mobility services.[3]
- Public Trust and Acceptance - Demonstrations and service tests help build trust in this advanced technology.[3]
- Challenges Ahead - Achieving Level 4 autonomy requires addressing technological complexity, regulatory frameworks, public acceptance, and infrastructure integration.[4]
- Other Japanese Manufacturers - Toyota and Honda are also part of the autonomous driving race, but they focus on hybrid and electric vehicles, with less emphasis on Level 4 autonomy compared to Nissan.[5]
- Nissan's Mobility and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, as conveyed by Takeshi Kimura, emphasizes the integration of self-driving technologies requires understanding the entire autosystem, including adapting sensors to car movements and monitoring sensors and computers for reliability and safety.
- In a bid to outshine competitors like Google's Waymo, Nissan plans to launch its self-driving vehicle on the Japanese market this year, with vocational training and compliance to community policy perhaps being crucial considerations for the integration of the technology into society.
- As the autonomous driving revolution advances, Japanese manufacturers such as Nissan, Toyota, and Honda face challenges in addressing technological complexity, regulatory frameworks, public acceptance, and infrastructure integration, while also ensuring the prioritization of safety in their vehicular innovations.
