Nissan: Autonomous driving through the city
FUTURE IN TEST As part of the Servcity trial program, a modified Nissan Leaf is testing autonomous driving systems in central London. The hope is that this will accelerate the development of technology suitable for everyday use.
A large-scale research project is being launched in the UK on the road to autonomous driving. With Servcity, Nissan and five partners are testing autonomous driving technology. The three-year field trial is designed to identify potential obstacles to the use of autonomous vehicles in cities.
Testing in the Smart Mobility Living Lab
After a long development period involving simulation and testing on private test tracks, Servcity is now climbing to the next level. The Servcity CAV (Connected and Autonomous Vehicle), based on the Leaf model, will be put through its paces in the middle of the UK capital from October.
To maneuver safely through the streets, testing will take place at TRL's Greenwich-based Smart Mobility Living Lab, which has the necessary infrastructural sensors and processing power.
Combination of strong partners
Servcity is funded by the government's £100 million Intelligent Mobility Fund. In addition to Nissan and TRL, the British innovation agency Connected Places Catapult, the technology group Hitachi, the University of Nottingham and the consulting firm SBD Automotive are also involved in the project.
Says SBD Director Andrew Hart, "Robotaxis have the potential to fundamentally change mobility for both customers and cities. Operators must carefully balance customer expectations with real-world technological constraints."
