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Filed under: Robots, Transportation

Nissan’s already hard at work on some crash-avoidance systems for regular, human-driven cars, but it looks like it’s not stopping there, with it now also showing off its BR23C robotic “car,” which apparently takes its inspiration from the humble bumblebee. That comes in the form of the BR23C’s laser range finder (or LRF), which acts like a bee’s compound eye to detect obstacles up to two meters away within a 180-degree radius. When combined with the slightly mysterious crash avoidance system, that apparently lets the car react “instinctively” the split second it detects an obstacle and maneuver accordingly. Of course, as you can see above, Nissan doesn’t seem to be quite ready to test the system with any human passengers just yet, but the company has some big plans for the future, with it aiming to cut its rate of car crashes in half by 2015 compared to its stats from 1995.

[Via Autoblog]

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Source: Donald Melanson

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Filed under: Transportation

Car companies have been promising fully electric autos for decades, but it seems like we’re finally on the cusp of fuel-free, silent running. The Tesla, Zap, and Six50 EVs will all be on the road within the next year or so (we’re betting on “so”), and GM’s much-anticipated Volt plug-in will come a year after that. Nissan would like to politely remind you that it too plans to have an all-electric auto in U.S. by 2010, all the while lining up charging stations at places like commuter parking lots and train stations. The company recently showed off an all-electric version of its popular (in Japan) Cube at the NY Auto Show, so it’s a safe bet that the above is Nissan’s vision for the all-electric future of American highways. Shame they couldn’t have picked something a little sportier.

[Via Autoblog]

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Source: Tim Stevens

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Filed under: Transportation

While there are many rational and irrational reasons for the delays we’ve seen in production of a mass-market and massively adopted electric car, most of the major issues seem to be addressed by this new initiative going down in Israel. One of the primary problems with electric cars is refilling, and that’s going to be nicely addressed by entrepreneur Shai Agassi’s Project Better Place, which will build a charging network of 500,000 plug-in points across the country. Other issues were a bit more easily addressed: since Israel is a small country, the limited range of electric cars isn’t as much of an issue, and the government subsisdies should make prices competitive — with the eventual cost of ownership significantly less than gas cars to sweeten the deal even further. Nissan and Renault plan to built the cars, naturally, and hope to port the concepts into other vehicles in other countries in the near future. The plan is to launch the first cars in Israel around 2011.

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Source: Paul Miller

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Filed under: Transportation

We’ve seen a lot of all-electric cars come and go, but scant few from the major automotive manufacturers — aside from the EV1, of course — so Nissan’s Mixim concept caught our eye with more than just its swoopy lines . The tiny hatchback weighs just 2100 pounds and clocks in at a tiny 145 inches end-to-end — but inside that diminutive shell you’ll find seats for three, a lithium-ion battery pack and two Nissan “Super Motors” that provide the Mixim with all-wheel-drive. Since it’s a concept, it’s got to have a crazy interior, and and the central driving position and video game-influenced controls don’t disappoint — welcome to Blade Runner, kids. The Mixim is just a concept, but here’s hoping the next all-electric car from a major manufacturer we hear about it will be ready for the street.

[Via TKTK]

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Source: Nilay Patel

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Filed under: Transportation

For those who value ultra-low insurance premiums, Nissan is quickly making a case to be a front-runner in your next car buying decision. Just days after showing off a concept vehicle with anti-drunk driving technology, the firm is now demonstrating a number of other non-alcoholic safety features including a lane departure prevention system, bumper sensors that release a hinge to lift the engine hood slightly and soften the impact if a pedestrian is hit, and a gas pedal that lifts to warn of possible collisions. Granted, some of these devices are already being implemented on a number of rival automobiles in one form or another, but Nissan will reportedly be installing the aforementioned features into its vehicles within the next year or so, and yes, that includes vehicles destined for the US.

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Transportation

Just as expected, Nissan has indeed rolled out a concept vehicle that showcases its long-awaited anti-drunk driving technology. The vehicle sports “multiple preventative features” designed to curb inebriated operation of vehicles, and essentially detects the driver’s state of sobriety and kicks into action if you’ve had a bit much. Amongst the detection agents are alcohol odor sensors built into the locking shift knob, seat-mounted sensors that can activate a voice and navigation screen warning, and a facial monitoring system that determines your “state of consciousness through your eyes.” Regrettably, there’s still no word as to when this system could actually hit showroom floors, but if the automaker has shelled out enough dough to craft a concept vehicle, we’d imagine it’s not too far out.

[Via TheAutoChannel]

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: GPS

It looks like the city of Beijing was suitably impressed with Nissan’s still-in-development transportation safety system, as the city’s now tasked the company with installing the system in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. According to The Wall Street Journal, the system, dubbed Star Wings, will rely on an existing Beijing system to collect traffic data, which Nissan will then turn around and transmit to drivers via an unspecified wireless network. That’ll allow drivers to determine the quickest route to take which, in theory, should reduce congestion in the city, something Beijing’s been trying to get under control in time for the Olympics. While that’s not all that far away, Nissan seems confident that it can make a difference, saying it hopes to put the technology into a fifth of Beijing’s 3 million cars by August of 2008 — an ambitious goal it believes in can achieve in part by working with rental car companies and taxi fleets.

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Source: Donald Melanson

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Filed under: Transportation

Earlier this year, Toyota was reportedly mulling the idea of crafting its own in-car OS, but now the firm — along with nine other Japanese companies — will be collaborating with the Economy, Trade, and Industry Ministry to develop “an operating system for automotive electronics.” The initiative is supposedly in reaction to similar joint developments going on with a number of European car outfits, and will aim to “create a global standard in the field.” Dubbed JasPar (Japan Automotive Software Platform Architecture), the venture will include big shots such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Denso, and Toshiba, and you can look for a prototype version to reach completion in 2009.

[Via The Raw Feed]

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Source: Darren Murph

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