The fields of vehicle autonomy and vehicle electrification are steadily converging. Envisioning “a world with virtually no traffic accidents leading to death or serious injury,” Nissan is using zero-emission LEAFs to demonstrate what it called two key safety breakthroughs.

The first innovation involves sensors. Laser scanners and Around View Monitor cameras monitor the surroundings of the vehicle in a full 360-degree circle, continually looking for obstacles, other vehicles, road signs and signals. The second is in the area of vehicle intelligence, which enables the car to react to the data the advanced sensors collect.

Three new scenarios are being demonstrated at Nissan’s N360 event:

• Autonomous side distance control, which enables the car to recognize when a lane is closed, and steer to avoid a collision.
• Intersection entry and turning with oncoming traffic monitor, which enables the specially-equipped LEAFs to pass through a junction while avoiding oncoming traffic.
• Overtaking with oncoming traffic monitor, which allows the vehicle to detect a parked car at the side of the road, check for a gap in oncoming traffic, and steer around the obstacle when it is safe to proceed.

Source: Nissan