Nissan and NASA sign five-year deal to develop autonomous vehicle tech
Nissan and NASA have agreed a five-year research partnership, using electric Leafs as testbeds for self-driving hardware and software at sites in California.
Nissan and NASA have entered a five-year research agreement to jointly develop autonomous vehicle technologies, with the first test vehicles scheduled to begin trials before the end of 2015. The partnership will see Nissan supply a fleet of battery-powered Leafs, which will serve as the development platform for new self-driving hardware and software.
The project is being conducted at two sites in California: Nissan’s Silicon Valley Research Center and NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field. According to Nissan, the Leaf was chosen not only for its zero-emissions credentials but also because its electric powertrain already incorporates the electronic architecture needed for autonomous systems.
What Nissan and NASA plan to develop
The scope of the partnership covers four main areas. The first is the development of autonomous drive systems, including the mechanical components that control acceleration, braking and steering. The second is the human-machine interface, focusing on how drivers interact with the vehicle’s autonomous functions. The third area involves network-enabled applications, enabling vehicles to determine their position and navigate safely in real-world environments. The final area is software analysis and verification, ensuring the reliability and safety of autonomous systems.
- Autonomous drive systems: acceleration, braking, steering integration
- Human-machine interface: driver interaction with autonomous tech
- Network-enabled solutions: vehicle positioning and navigation
- Software analysis and verification: reliability and safety checks
Why NASA is involved
NASA’s interest in autonomous vehicle technology stems from its need to operate exploration vehicles remotely, including in environments where communication with Earth may be lost. The agency aims to adapt the self-driving solutions developed with Nissan for its own robotic and crewed missions. For Nissan, the collaboration provides access to NASA’s expertise in robotics and remote vehicle operation, potentially accelerating its own autonomous driving programme.
Industry context and next steps
Nissan’s partnership with NASA reflects the growing trend of carmakers collaborating with technology and research organisations to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles. Similar initiatives have involved Google, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai, as manufacturers seek to overcome the technical, legal and social challenges facing self-driving cars. The Nissan-NASA project is expected to produce test results and prototype systems before the end of 2015, with further developments anticipated over the five-year term.
For further coverage of the autonomous technology race, seeGoogle Says Its Ready to Jointly Develop Autonomous Cars with Automakers.
