Nissan is developing a new driver-assistance technology that uses accurate, real-time information about the vehicle’s surrounding environment to enhance collision avoidance. A core part of the system is what Nissan calls ‘ground truth perception’, which fuses information from next-generation high-performance LIDAR, radar and cameras.
The technology can detect the shape and distance of objects, as well as the structure of the area surrounding the vehicle, in real time. This information can then be used to instantly analyse the current road situation, and to judge and automatically perform any required collision-avoidance operations. This technology can also detect slowed traffic and road obstacles in the distance and execute lane changes accordingly. It can also provide increased support to drivers in areas where detailed map information is not available.
Takao Asami, Nissan’s senior vice president, who leads its global research and development activity, explained: “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.”
Nissan has partnered with external tech to research and develop this technology. The next-generation LIDAR, a crucial element, is being integrated into Nissan’s system in collaboration with Luminar. In the area of advanced collision avoidance control it is critical to develop highly accurate verification technology in a digital environment. To this end, Nissan is teaming up with Applied Intuition, which specialises in state-of-the-art simulation technology.
The system forms part of the company’s long-term vision, Nissan Ambition 2030, a key part of which is to develop vehicle control technology that will reduce accidents by utilising next-generation LIDAR technology. Nissan aims to complete the development of its ground truth perception technology by the mid-2020s. It will first be available on select new models, and on virtually every new model by fiscal year 2030.
