by Michael Gauthier
- Nissan’s next-gen semi-autonomous system will handle complex urban streets.
- It uses advanced LiDAR and Wayve AI to mimic skilled human driving behavior.
- The system was shown in Tokyo operating hands-free through intersections.
Nissan has unveiled their next-generation ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving system, which will be launched in Japan sometime during the 2027 fiscal year that ends on March 31, 2028. It’s far more advanced than the company’s current system and uses next-generation LiDAR as well as Wayve AI Driver software.
The system was recently demonstrated in Tokyo on a fleet of Ariya prototypes, which are equipped with 11 cameras, five radars, and one LiDAR sensor. The latter is mounted on the roof and can detect objects at greater distances than the cameras. Nissan said this increases safety during high-speed and nighttime driving.
More: We Go Hands-Free With ProPilot Assist 2.1
Speaking to Auto News in Tokyo during the demonstration, Tetsuya Iijima, Nissan’s general manager of driver-assist technologies, said, “It’s similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving, but ours is maybe even a little more clever.” He added that the system is built to handle the narrow, crowded, pedestrian-filled streets of the Japanese capital better than Tesla’s. Of course, Tesla’s tech is already available, while Nissan’s won’t arrive for at least another year and a half, and possibly only in Japan to start.
AI Takes The Wheel
Besides adding LiDAR to the equation, the next-gen ProPILOT system uses AI to process data collected by its sensors. The automaker said it has the “ability to grasp its surroundings and anticipate what will happen next and how its own actions will affect the environment, allowing it to drive safely in harmony with its surroundings like a skilled human driver.”
Nissan went on to say the system’s high-speed processing capabilities allow the AI driver to respond immediately to sudden changes and understand how “entire driving scenes evolve, rather than just reacting to single objects.”
Thanks to these developments, the system promises to “adapt to a wide variety of real-world scenarios and make accurate decisions even in complex situations, like an experienced and attentive human.” This should pave the way for “smooth and safe driving within complex urban environments.”
Beyond The Highway
This is a big change as the current ProPILOT and ProPILOT 2.0 systems are geared towards highways. The latter system allows for hands-free operation and Nissan’s Chief Technology Officer, Eiichi Akashi, said it’s been “well-received.” However, he said “Nissan’s next-generation ProPILOT technology will bring even more innovative features and deliver the feeling that a skilled human driver is behind the wheel. It will adapt to more complex traffic conditions and truly provide greater confidence and peace of mind—enhancing safety not only for the driver, but for everyone using the road.”
While the company didn’t go into many specifics, they noted the next-generation of ProPILOT will be a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system that requires a driver to monitor its operation and be able to intervene, if necessary. The automaker also showed prototypes operating hands-free in downtown Tokyo.
A Glimpse Of What’s Next
The video hints at some impressive capabilities including making hands-free turns onto new streets. The prototypes also make automatic lane changes and stop for pedestrians, before automatically resuming when they exit the crosswalk.