Tokyo: Japanese automaker Nissan is developing new self-driving technology as it works to turn around its struggling auto business. In a recent demonstration of the technology, set to be available in 2027, a Nissan Ariya sedan outfitted with 11 cameras, five radars, and a next-generation sensor called LiDAR maneuvered its way through downtown Tokyo, braking for red lights as well as pedestrians and other cars at intersections.
According to Emirates News Agency, previous Nissan self-driving technology was designed for freeway driving, where the lanes are clearly marked and easier to decipher. The new technology is designed for congested, unpredictable city streets. The self-driving car market is estimated to reach $2 trillion by 2030, according to market researcher IndustryARC, riding on the back of advances in AI, sensor technologies, and data processing capabilities.
Japan's top automaker, Toyota Motor Corp., has a partnership deal with Waymo, another self-driving technology developed by Google. Waymo has also arrived in Japan, in partnership with a cab company, but it's still in the testing stage. Other automakers are also working on autonomous driving technology, including Honda Motor Co., General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz, as well as companies outside the auto industry like Amazon and its subsidiary Zoox.