Nissan shows autonomous electric concept sports car that ‘can see around the corner’
Nissan has presented a sporty, fully electric-powered crossover at the Detroit Motor Show that features the so-called Omni-Sensing technology. This is a system that receives data in real time and thus creates a virtual representation of the environment.
Nissan describes the system as the ‘invisible to visible’, where the real and virtual worlds are intertwined. In practice, this involves a 3D interface in the car that helps occupants to see things that would otherwise be invisible. The system is connected to the internet and receives information in real time from sensors located inside and outside the car. This specifically concerns matters such as possible traffic jams, roadblocks, visibility, or pedestrians in the vicinity of the car.
Alternative route suggestions are also given and in traffic jams the driver is given information about which lane is best to merge into. All of this is not only about the immediate environment in 360 degrees, but also anticipates the situation ahead, including what is behind a building or corner. This is shown on a transparent screen; a central console is missing. The system also monitors the occupants via internal sensors, so that they can be better anticipated, in the form of, for example, finding a destination or suggesting a coffee break to stay alert.
An avatar provides the driver with instructions. Friends and family can also be used as avatar models. Optionally, an avatar can be placed in the car, which should act as a ‘virtual passenger’.
According to Nissan, the system can also play a role in making the car journey more comfortable and enjoyable when the car is driving in autonomous mode. For example, the setting of a sunny day can be projected in the car when it is rainy outside. Or if a previously unvisited place is visited, the system will look for a local guide with which to communicate directly.
In autonomous mode, the steering column retracts and the seats can rotate so that all occupants can better communicate with each other. If the car drives entirely on its own without input from the driver, this is made known to other road users because the vehicle’s exterior lights light up blue.
The Nissan IMs contain two electric motors that together can deliver 483 hp of power. The battery is a 115kWh battery that, according to Nissan, is estimated to have a range of 611km. Whether this concept model will ever actually come out is unknown.