They allow designers and engineers to imagine and create their vision of what our automotive future might look like.
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“As a result, time spent behind wheel is safer, cleaner, more efficient and more fun”, he said in a briefing booth packed with reporters. IBTimesUK presents a sneak peek of the concept vehicles on show.
“It’s like relaxing in a living room”, says design director Mitsunori Morita, who defines the trust-based communication that needs to exist between driver and autonomous-driving auto with the phrase “Together, we ride”. During autonomous driving, this electric hatchback’s 4-person interior becomes passenger focused by retracting the steering wheel into the dash as a large flat screen panel emerges to display information ranging from daily appointments to text messages. Nissan claims the system can propose departure times and driving routes. Seats pivot slightly to face each other to enhance conversation, too.
In Manual Drive mode, the driver has control with the linear acceleration and cornering described as “pure and exhilarating”. “But the technology is more aware of, and responsive to dangers”. The system will eventually have the ability to learn and respond to the behavior of the driver. A 60 kilowatt-hour electric drive unit, a sleek construction made of carbon fiber and other light materials and a compact, yet aerodynamic shape are just a few highlights, but the IDS Concept has several exciting features.
What’s powering the IDS? The IDS Concept builds on technology being tested in a small fleet of sensor-laden Leafs that can change lanes, pass cars and merge on highways by themselves. Subtract the swivelling seats, big wheels and glass roof and the IDS concept would make a believable replacement for the Leaf. This is the all-electric machine aimed at grabbing what Nissan refers to as “share natives”.
Nissan does not specify the concept’s range, but says the IDS is meant to “meet the need to drive long distances”. “But the Nissan IDS Concept promises a very different vision of tomorrow”. They would have to share the roads with normal cars with drivers as well as with pedestrians, animals and unexpected objects.
Subaru Viziv Future Concept is displayed during the media preview of the Tokyo Motor Show in Tokyo, Wednesday, October 28, 2015. It’s called the RX-Vision, and Mazda hopes to make it real one day.
But the technology is far from ideal and is widely seen as limited in the short term to highway driving rather than urban traffic jams.
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Nissan’s Leaf Piloted Drive 1.0 is planned to launch at a few point in 2020.
