MOTORING NEWS - At the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan unveiled a concept vehicle that embodies Nissan's vision of the future of autonomous driving and zero emission electric vehicles (EVs): the Nissan IDS Concept.
Nissan's president and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, said: "Nissan's forthcoming technologies will revolutionise the relationship between car and driver and future mobility."
Ghosn has said previously that by 2020 Nis-san plans to equip innovative autonomous drive technology on multiple vehicles. Progress is well on track to achieve this goal.
"Nissan Intelligent Driving improves a driver's ability to see, think and react. It compensates for human error, which causes more than 90% of car accidents. As a result, time spent behind the wheel is safer, cleaner, more efficient and more fun," he said.
The Nissan IDS Concept lets the driver select Piloted Drive, which turns over driving to the vehicle, but the car will imitate the driver's style from accelerating to braking and cornering.
In Manual Drive mode, the driver has control of acceleration and cornering, although the Nissan IDS Concept will provide assistance. Sensors will continually monitor conditions and assistance is available even while the driver is in control. In the event of danger the system will assist the driver to take evasive action.
From information concerning traffic conditions, the driver's schedule to personal interests, Nissan IDS Concept's AI will add to a driving experience that is comfortable, enjoyable and safe.
The interior is part of the choice the driver has with different interiors depending on whether the driver opts for Piloted Drive or Manual Drive.
Even though it is a hatchback, the Nissan IDS Concept has a long wheelbase that enables comfortable seating for four adults. The cabin becomes even more spacious when the driver selects Piloted Drive. In this mode, the steering wheel recedes into the instrument panel and a large flat screen appears.
Various driving-related operations are handled by AI, with voice and gestures from the driver. The interior is comprised of natural materials such as mesh leather. It is illuminated by soft light with all four seats rotating inward for conversation.
When the driver selects Manual Drive, the roomy interior transforms to put the driver in control. All seats face forward and the steering wheel appears along with driving instruments and a heads-up display that shows route and other driving information. The interior lighting switches to blue, stimulating the ability to concentrate. Nissan's use of hollow-structure A-pillars helps ensure good visibility by reducing blind spots.
"It is about giving the driver more choices and greater control. The driver will remain the focus of our technology development efforts," said Ghosn.
The transformation to Manual Drive is easily managed with a switch between the front seats - the PD Commander. This is the only control the driver can physically operate when the car is in Piloted Drive: when the driver is ready to take over driving, this action should initiate the change.
Nissan says for autonomous drive to be widely accepted, people need to fully trust the technology. Through its innovative communication capabilities, the Nissan IDS Concept promotes confidence and a sense of harmony from outside as well. Various exterior lights and displays convey the car's awareness of its surroundings.
The car's silver side body line is actually an LED that Nissan calls the 'Intention Indicator'.
When pedestrians or cyclists are nearby, the strip goes red, signalling that the car is aware of them. Another electronic display, which faces outside from the instrument panel, can flash messages such as 'After you' to pedestrians.
Design Director Mitsunori Morita said; "By the time Nissan Intelligent Driving technology is available on production cars, EVs will be able to go great distances on a single charge. Getting to this point will require further evolution of batteries, but aerodynamic performance is also very important. We incorporated our most advanced aerodynamic technology in the design of the
Nissan IDS Concept."
The height of the carbon fibre body was constrained to 1 380mm, minimising aerodynamic drag (Cd). Placing the wheels close to the corners of the body maximises interior space and adds a wrap-around cabin design. Nissan selected large wheels for high-performance and sportiness, but used very thin tyres to minimise air and roll resistance with a design that further contributes to smooth air flow.
The Nissan IDS Concept is fitted with a high-capacity 60kWh battery and thanks to its outstanding aerodynamics and reduced weight, the vehicle is designed to meet the need to drive longer distances.
Nissan has the target of zero fatalities and zero emissions to help create a sustainable car-based society. Over 90% of traffic accidents are caused by human error. The Nissan IDS Concept's system of sensors and AI is designed to enhance safety dramatically.
EVs produce no CO² emissions and their batteries can store energy from renewable sources and turn it into electricity for homes and buildings. As the number of EVs increases, entire communities will be able to harness their power as part of a sustainable energy plan. Nissan believes that as EVs come to play a central role in energy supply, we will come that much closer to becoming a zero emission society.
The interior seating pattern changes according to the drive mode selected.
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