Nissan-Renault Say They'll Have 10 Self-driving Cars by 2020

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

Nissan-Renault announced Thursday that it would have 10 cars on sale worldwide with autonomous features ready by the end of the decade.

Considering the photo provided by the automaker is of a Nissan Leaf, we can begin there.

One.

The automaker announced Thursday that beginning this year, Nissan, Renault or Infiniti vehicles would be enabled with “single-lane control,” which will drive its cars on the “autonomously and safely in stop-and-go traffic on highways,” according to a Nissan spokeswoman.

(For comparison’s sake: Volvo’s Pilot Assist system works similarly in its XC90, which can pilot that car under 30 mph in a single, clearly visible lane. It’s unclear if Nissan’s system will work under similar circumstances.)

Nissan didn’t specify what cars the single lane system would be available in, nor what trim levels, but you and I know it’ll be in the Murano, at least. Maybe not the Versa Note, however.

The automaker also added that by 2018, some of its vehicles would be equipped with “multiple lane control” features that can switch lanes and avoid road hazards. By 2020, its cars will have intersection control that will navigate city streets and intersections without driver control, according to Nissan.

Nissan didn’t specify if its self-driving features would come standard on its models, only to say that they would be on “mainstream, mass-market cars at affordable prices,” according to the statement.


Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Jan 07, 2016

    Aaron, you're on full snark yesterday and today. It's hard to take. Leave some of the attitude for the B&B to express - we're pretty good at it.

  • Truckducken Truckducken on Jan 07, 2016

    Will they drive themselves to the junkyard when the CVT starts to crap out?

    • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Jan 07, 2016

      If it's a Leaf, there is no CVT - just a one-speed gear reducer.

  • Dwright Dwright on Jan 07, 2016

    I don't see how these automakers will not get sued when one of these cars wrecks. Unless there is a "you let a programmer drive your car, idiot" law in place that explicitly transfers liability to the passenger in the drivers seat.

    • See 3 previous
    • Sportyaccordy Sportyaccordy on Jan 08, 2016

      Did you read past the title? These cars are not fully autonomous. The liability is still on the driver, just like it would be if your car crashed while you had cruise control on. Even with that, I am guessing manufacturers are confident enough in the tech to put it out in the public realm. Even if the driver is liable, having a bunch of crashes stemming from your new driving assists in the press is not how a manufacturer wants to be seen. Just take like 1 second to think before you post.

  • Art Vandelay Art Vandelay on Jan 07, 2016

    This is great since my first thought upon seeing most new Nissans is that I would not want to be seen driving them.

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