Nissan is almost ready to launch its next-generation ProPilot advanced driver-assist system in a bid to close the perceived tech gap to rivals such as Tesla. The Japanese carmaker will launch the system ahead of schedule during Fiscal Year 2027 (April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2028).
Compared to its current ProPilot technology which uses a fixed rules-based system, the next-generation ProPilot will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) software from British startup Wayve. The Wayve AI Driver software is paired to Nissan’s very own “Ground Truth Perception” technology.
Proving the production-ready nature of this next-generation ProPilot, Nissan brought out an Ariya prototype fitted with the system. This Ariya features 11 cameras, 5 radar sensors, and a next-generation LIDAR sensor.
The last one is critical in that the LIDAR sensor mounted on the roof is the key component of Nissan’s Ground Truth Perception technology suite. LIDAR can accurately detect objects at greater distances than cameras, enhancing safety during high-speed and nighttime driving.
Meanwhile, the Wayve AI Driver software processes image data from onboard camera sensors to enable smooth and safe driving even within complex urban environments.
Wayve’s embodied AI can grasp its surroundings and anticipate what will happen next and how its own actions will affect the environment, allowing it to drive safely like a skilled human driver. Furthermore, its high-speed processing capabilities allow it to respond immediately to sudden changes in conditions, ensuring it acts safely in real time.
Additionally, Wayve’s AI is inspired by how people perceive and learn from their surroundings based on insights into human cognition and behavioral processes. It understands how entire driving scenes evolve, rather than just reacting to single objects.
During its tests, it allowed the prototype Ariya to navigate busy Tokyo streets, stopping for pedestrians, avoiding parked vehicles on narrow roads, and even anticipating cyclists coming head-on from the wrong side.
Eiichi Akashi, Chief Technology Officer of Nissan, said “Our current ProPilot 2.0 system has been well received, but Nissan’s next-generation ProPilot technology will bring even more innovative features and deliver the feeling that a skilled human driver is behind the wheel. It will adapt to more complex traffic conditions and truly provide greater confidence and peace of mind—enhancing safety not only for the driver, but for everyone using the road.”
Nissan plans to launch the next-generation ProPilot system on select production models for the Japan domestic market first starting in fiscal year 2027.
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