Carlos Ghosn, Nissan president and chief executive, said: “Nissan’s forthcoming technologies will revolutionise the relationship between vehicle and driver, and future mobility”.
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“Nissan Intelligent Driving improves a driver’s ability to see, think and react”, Ghosn said. For now, Google, Tesla, and the like are promoting self-driving vehicles as safer and more efficient. The vehicle has both piloted and manual drive models.
Sure, that doesn’t sound all that revolutionary, but it’s what it does when you put it in Piloted Drive that’s awesome. The steering wheel retracts into the instrument panel and is replaced by a big flat screen… like something out of Transformers, just without the guns.
The IDS Concept aims to carry the EV torch further. Exterior lights like the so-called “Intention Indicator” change color to signal that the vehicle is aware of nearby pedestrians, and another display can even show messages to passersby. The IDS would come with autonomous and manual driving modes. Nissan says 90 percent of traffic accidents are caused by human error, and the IDS Concept uses technology that will provide enhanced safety to achieve its goal of zero traffic fatalities.
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In autopilot mode, the steering console locates at the center, all four seats go slightly inward, as for the passengers to easily see and talk with each other. But the cabin becomes even more spacious when the driver selects Piloted Drive. While Nissan has been careful to avoid mention of the Leaf, the Tokyo concept does follow the radically different, more expressive look that’s now been given to the new Maxima sedan and Murano crossover. Meanwhile, sensors continually monitor conditions, ready to render assistance in the event of an emergency. Because of its lightweight carbon fiber body, low stance and excellent aerodynamics, the Nissan IDS Concept has enough range for long distance driving with its 60 kWh battery. Another eye-catching exhibit is “Teatro for Dayz”, an electronic vehicle by Nissan developed to win the hearts of digital natives – younger generations who are always connected to digital devices and social media – and prefer going online than driving.
