Nissan Motor has begun trials of a new driver-assistance system incorporating technology from British startup Wayve, in anticipation of a launch in Japan during the 2027 fiscal year.

The Japanese car manufacturer showcased the system in Tokyo earlier this month with Ariya electric vehicles featuring sophisticated collision avoidance technology aimed at supporting drivers in city environments.

City streets present more difficulties for driver assistance technologies than highways, owing to pedestrians, parked cars, and delivery personnel.

The prototype cars feature 11 cameras, five radars, and a single lidar sensor, providing Level 2 autonomous driving abilities that necessitate drivers to be prepared to take control with their hands on the steering wheel.

Wayve, backed by investments from SoftBank Group and Nvidia, established a testing and development center in Japan earlier this year.

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Nissan introduced its ProPilot system in 2016 and released a second-generation variant in 2019 to aid with highway driving.

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It has not revealed which models will feature the next-generation system.

This month, Nissan began showcasing its next-generation ProPILOT advanced driver-assist technology, prior to its planned release in Japan during FY27. A group of all-electric prototype vehicles based on the Nissan Ariya showcased their capability to navigate safely and confidently in the intricate urban setting of central Tokyo.

Integrating Wayve's “Wayve AI Driver” software with Nissan’s “Ground Truth Perception” technology that utilizes advanced LiDAR, the upcoming ProPILOT system aspires to redefine benchmarks for driver assistance technologies.

 

Wayve’s AI Driver is a software that utilizes advanced embodied AI technology for operating vehicles. It analyzes image information from onboard camera sensors to facilitate smooth and secure driving in intricate urban settings.

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Wayve’s embodied AI can perceive its environment and predict upcoming events as well as how its actions will influence the surroundings, enabling it to navigate safely and harmoniously akin to an experienced human driver. Additionally, its rapid processing abilities enable it to quickly react to abrupt changes in circumstances, guaranteeing it operates safely in real time.