Nissan Vows to Commercialize Autonomous Driving by 2020

Nissan Motor Co. says that before the end of the decade, it will develop a commercially viable technology that enables vehicles to drive themselves.

The company aims to be prepared to market fully autonomous driving systems on multiple models by 2020 and extend the technology to its entire lineup within two product generations thereafter.

Nissan also plans to open a special autonomous system test track in Japan by mid-2015. The facility will be used in part to conduct worst-case challenges to the technology beyond conditions normally encountered on public roads.

Earlier this week Nissan demonstrated Leaf electric sedans equipped with a variety of built-in laser, radar and camera guidance technologies linked to advanced vehicle intelligence and actuators. Nissan's system does not require connectivity with other vehicles or the roadside.

The test cars can negotiate city, rural and expressway roads without driver input, detect red lights on surface streets and stop for them, swerve if necessary to avoid pedestrians, monitor cross traffic at intersections and respond accordingly, automatically signal their turns and park themselves.

Nissan points out that most of the necessary technologies for autonomous driving exist now. The real challenge, Executive Vice President Andy Palmer tells reporters, is creating a regulatory framework that allows self-driving cars on public roads.