Technology seems to be the mantra for car makers across the globe as they continue to invest hefty amounts in the research and development of new vehicles. Following this suit is the Japanese auto maker Nissan, who is planning to manufacture self-driven cars by the end of this decade, sources have claimed. Japanese firms have always been famous for conceptualising and designing new technologies that become breakthrough achievements in the global car market. Industry experts believe that this could be a pioneering development in the history of cars. Apart from Nissan, Internet giant Google is also working on its development of a car that can drive itself. And if reports are to be believed, then Google's self-driven car could make an appearance soon in Blacksburg, which is located in Virginia, United States of America.
Andy Palmer, the Executive Vice President at Nissan Motor Company, confirmed the news of self-driven cars being launched by the firm. "Nissan Motor Co. pledges that we will be ready to bring multiple affordable, energy efficient, fully autonomous-driving vehicles to the market by 2020," he said. Adding further, Palmer suggested that Nissan would be ready to develop a testing ground for its autonomous car systems by the year 2014. Recently, the Japanese car maker put on a display, wherein it showed what systems the self-driving car used for navigation. By using functions like laser guidance, cameras and radar sensors, the car successfully overcame obstacles that were laid. The car was able to stop upon the detection of a red light. It also managed to automatically turn left to avoid an accident when a dummy pedestrian was thrown in front of the car. Along with, the self-driven Nissan car offered a freeway to the test driver when he gave the signal for turn.
Unlike the prototypes developed by Google that have rotated device fitted at the top, the models made by Nissan have in-built sensors. It is believed that the main motive behind the making of self-driven cars is to reduce the number of accidents caused due to the errors of drivers. As per sources close to the company, the real problem does not lie in finding the right technology. On the contrary, the technology is absolutely in place and is working fine. However, the real obstacle is the designing of a comprehensive regulatory framework that would take the project forward. Sources claim that Nissan is slated to commence rolling out of this technology, which will feature in a model line-up, by the year 2020. On enquiring whether Nissan was working with Google towards the development of self-driven cars, Andy Palmer denied the same.
Although a fully self-driven car has not been introduced till now, modern day vehicles come with numerous driving systems for the assistance of the driver. One such technology is the cruise control system, which helps in the automatic maintenance of distance between cars in a particular lane. However, a challenge for auto makers remains to be the development of cost effective sensors that has the capability of detecting surroundings and guiding the vehicle. Industry experts feel that Nissan is certainly on the right track in terms of meeting the deadline of introducing the technology by 2020. It is being said that the firm might be able to prepare the software and hardware in the stipulated time frame.
