Automotive

It's official: New Nissan Leaf will be semi-autonomous

It's official: New Nissan Leaf will be semi-autonomous
The new Leaf will feature Nissan's ProPILOT Assist technology
The new Leaf will feature Nissan's ProPILOT Assist technology
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The new Leaf will feature Nissan's ProPILOT Assist technology
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The new Leaf will feature Nissan's ProPILOT Assist technology

Life should be a little easier for buyers of the upcoming new Nissan Leaf, as Nissan has confirmed that the car will feature ProPILOT Assist technology. Although it should eventually offer advanced functionality, for now the system reportedly "reduces the hassle of stop-and-go single-lane highway driving."

Once activated via steering wheel controls, ProPILOT uses a forward-facing camera and a 3D imaging system to monitor the road.

If there are no preceding vehicles present, it will maintain a preset cruising speed. Should the Leaf start closing in on another vehicle, however, the system will control acceleration and braking in order to maintain a safe distance behind that car. Additionally, as long as lane markers are present on both sides of the road, ProPILOT will control the steering (on straightaways and on curves) in order to keep the Leaf centered in its lane.

Drivers can take back manual control as needed – according to Nissan, the system should eventually be capable of navigating city intersections.

ProPILOT is already available on some Infiniti models.

Source: Nissan

2 comments
2 comments
Bob Flint
The blind leading the blind....
Rustin Lee Haase
I'm convinced that self driving cars are imminent but I don't want to pay for that kind of feature right now on the new LEAF. I'm hoping the unit stays affordable and these new half-baked high-falutin features can add unwanted $$$$ to the cost of the car. I'm looking for good basic long range economical transportation that doesn't become junk too soon and adding lots of easily outdated gadgetry is a a great way to ruin the long term appeal of the car.