Nissan has revealed new in-development driver-assistance technology that will dramatically enhance collision avoidance for future autonomous driving.

Nissan’s new ‘Ground Truth Perception’ technology was demonstrated on a test vehicle that automatically performed collision-avoidance manoeuvres

As vehicles become increasingly automated, driver assistance technology that can avoid highly complex accidents will be essential.

Previewed at its facility in Yokohama, Japan, Nissan’s new ‘Ground Truth Perception’ technology was demonstrated on a test vehicle that automatically performed collision-avoidance manoeuvres.

It combines information from next-generation high-performance LIDAR, radar and cameras, which is used to detect the shape and distance of objects, as well as the structure of the area surrounding the vehicle, in real time with a high degree of accuracy.

This enables the vehicle to instantly analyse the current situation, judge and automatically perform required collision-avoidance operations. It can also detect slowed traffic and road obstacles in the distance and execute lane changes accordingly.

Importantly, the technology can also provide increased support to drivers in areas where detailed map information is not available.

Under its long-term vision, Nissan Ambition 2030, Nissan is working to develop vehicle control technology aimed to significantly reduce accidents by drawing on next-generation LIDAR technology.

Takao Asami, senior vice president, leading global research and development, said: “Nissan has been the first to market a number of advanced driver assistance technologies. When we look at the future of autonomous driving, we believe that it is of utmost importance for owners to feel highly confident in the safety of their vehicle. We are confident that our in-development ground truth perception technology will make a significant contribution to owner confidence, reduced traffic accidents and autonomous driving in the future.”

Development of the new Ground Truth Perception technology is expected to be completed by the mid-2020s and will first be available on select new models, and on virtually every new model by fiscal year 2030.