Nissan Demonstrates Fully Driverless Technology On Public Roads In Japan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. showcased its latest autonomous driving technology in a public road demonstration in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district. The test, conducted for the first time in Japan, featured a fully driverless vehicle operating in an urban environment without a safety driver inside. The company is developing this technology for mobility services it plans to introduce in the country.

The test vehicle, based on the Nissan Serena minivan, was equipped with 14 cameras, nine radars and six LiDAR sensors. The roof-mounted sensors allowed for improved environmental detection. The artificial intelligence (AI) system upscale the vehicle’s recognition, prediction and decision-making capabilities.

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To ensure safety, Nissan engineers tested multiple scenarios along the driving route, implemented an emergency stop function and incorporated backup systems. Since 2017, the company has been testing and refining its autonomous technology through various research initiatives, including collaborations in Japan, the U.K. and Silicon Valley.

Nissan plans to conduct service demonstration tests with about 20 autonomous vehicles in Yokohama between fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Based on the test results, the company aims to launch a commercial autonomous mobility service by 2027. The initiative is being developed in collaboration with government bodies, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and local authorities in Yokohama.

The Japanese government is supporting the development of autonomous mobility services through initiatives such as the Level 4 Mobility Acceleration Committee.