Nissan Motor has unveiled Thursday, “the world’s first in driver assistance technology”, which combines navigated highway driving with hands-off single-lane driving capabilities. The advance driver-assistance technology- Nissan ProPILOT 2.0 will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel during certain highway-driving situations.
The new system is designed for the on-ramp to off-ramp (ramp-to-ramp) highway driving. It is more advanced than the existing ProPILOT Assist feature offered on some of the Nissan models, where the driver still needs to put his hands on the wheel.
In contrast, the improved and upgraded system- ProPILOT 2.0 allows a complete “hands-free driving” within a single lane as long as the car doesn’t need to switch lanes.
Amazing features of ProPILOT 2.0 assist:
The new system is connected to the vehicle’s navigation system to help drive the car according to a predefined route on designated roadways. To enable the latest functions of the new system, drivers must first set their destination in the navigation system, creating a predefined travel route. Once the car enters the highway, the new system’s navigated driving becomes available.
The cars equipped with the upgraded system use a combination of cameras, radars, sonars, GPS and 3D high-definition map data (HD map) to provide 360-degree, real-time information of the surrounding environment and the vehicle’s precise location on the road.
ProPILOT 2.0 will handle steering, braking, and accelerating, when active. And the camera mounted on the dashboard constantly monitors the driver to ensure drivers have their eyes on the road.
What else?
The hands-off automated driving system is limited to a single lane, but it is capable of detecting slower moving vehicles in front and suggesting an overtaking maneuver is necessary. Audio and visual warnings alert the driver when such a move is required. The driver will need to put both hands on the steering wheel and make the necessary turn signal to confirm the lane change.
The company emphasizes that ProPILOT 2.0 can only operate in certain, safe situations. For example, it will not work around toll booths or exit ramps, In that case, the drivers will be asked to take possession.
Nissan ProPILOT 2.0 system will debut on the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline in the fall of 2019. There’s no word on when it will be available in other regions or on other cars.
