Nissan Completes First Autonomous Test of Leaf in Japan

NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
6957 photos
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has completed its first test of the autonomous LeafNissan LEAFJapan, 2009 > present29 versions
45 photos
1 video
on public highways in Japan.

The autonomous system can operate the car’s steering, brakes and throttle. It can drive the car automatically while cruising on the expressway, merge intro traffic and change lanes all while maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles.

“Through these tests on an expressway, we hope to further advance our technological development, with the goal of soon implementing Autonomous Drive vehicles,” said Nissan Vice Chairman Toshiyuki Shiga.

The autonomous drive was completed on the Sagami Expressway in Kanagawa prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, with the prefecture’s governor on board.

Nissan has a goal of having autonomous vehicles on sale by 2020. It is the first company in Japan to be certified to test an autonomous vehicle on public roads. It has also built a dedicated test center in Japan to develop autonomous technology.