Nissan Motor has announced a strategic roadmap to bring its in-house-developed autonomous-drive mobility services, equivalent to SAE Level 4, to commercialization in Japan by 2027. The journey toward this goal began in 2017, with Nissan conducting extensive testing of various mobility service business models within Japan and internationally.
In Japan, Nissan has focused its testing efforts on a ride-hailing service in Namie Town in Fukushima Prefecture. ‘Namie Smart Mobility’, a manned mobility service that uses self-driving EV shuttles to carry mixed cargo and passengers, has been operational since 2021, serving as a testing ground for Nissan’s autonomous-drive technologies. The company will shortly begin testing a similar service in the Minato Mirai district of Yokohama, using autonomous vehicles based on the Serena minivan.
Leveraging insights gained from these testing initiatives, Nissan aims to kickstart its autonomous-drive mobility services in 2027. The company plans to collaborate with third parties such as local authorities and transportation operators to facilitate the rollout of these services.
Further tests are planned for the Yokohama area, encompassing regions including Minato Mirai, Sakuragicho and Kannai, using a fleet of 20 vehicles with drivers on board. By 2027, Nissan aims to have commenced services in three or four municipalities, including rural areas, deploying multiple vehicles to cater to diverse mobility needs.
This initiative will be undertaken in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and other central ministries.
Meanwhile, outside Japan, Nissan continues to test autonomous driving in London and other areas with the support of the UK government.
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