Nissan develops city-focused self-driving tech for 2027 rollout
New system uses 11 cameras, five radars and LiDAR to navigate crowded Tokyo streets as the company seeks a turnaround
TOKYO — Nissan is developing self-driving technology set to be available in 2027, as the Japanese automaker seeks to turn around its struggling auto business.
In a downtown Tokyo demonstration, a Nissan Ariya sedan outfitted with 11 cameras, five radar sensors and a next-generation LiDAR system navigated congested city streets, braking for red lights as well as pedestrians and other cars at intersections.
The system is designed for urban driving, a shift from Nissan's earlier technology that was tuned for freeways with clearly marked lanes. IndustryARC projects the global self-driving market could reach about $2 trillion by 2030 as AI, sensor technology and data processing improve.
Nissan's push comes as Japan's auto market faces headwinds from tariffs and soft demand. The company has slashed jobs and named Ivan Espinosa as chief executive to lead a turnaround, after posting losses for the April-June quarter and ending a fiscal year in the red.
Still, Nissan faces a crowded field. Toyota Motor Corp. has a partnership with Waymo, the self-driving unit of Google, and Waymo has begun testing in Japan with a taxi partner. Honda, General Motors and Mercedes-Benz are pursuing autonomous tech, and nontraditional players such as Amazon and its Zoox unit are also active in the space.