Are Self-Driving Cars Right Around the Corner?

Today’s drivers have been waiting patiently for self-driving cars for years. Nissan has been testing autonomous driving models since 2017, but how far away is a truly autonomous Nissan Altima?

Nissan Plans to Introduce Level 4 Autonomous Vehicles by 2027

The idea of self-driving vehicles isn’t new. Auto manufacturers have been working diligently toward offering autonomous cars for years. According to Nissan, a solution might be just around the corner.

While a fully autonomous Nissan Altima is unlikely to hit dealer showrooms in America anytime soon, the company is testing models and evaluating options in Japan and elsewhere.

Early Efforts at Autonomous Vehicle Development

Nissan’s ambitious plans haven’t come out of nowhere. The automaker has been testing autonomous driving business models since 2017 using manned vehicles.

Nissan conducted the original tests in two parts of Japan: the Minato Mirai area of Yokohama and Namie town, which is in the Fukushima Prefecture. The operation itself is a mobility service called Smart Mobility, which has been in business since 2021.
Nissan has also been experimenting with autonomous driving technologies outside Japan for some time. In London, the automaker has the UK government’s support in testing self-driving functions.

So far, though existing vehicles like the Nissan Altima feature a host of driver assistance features, there are no autonomous Nissan vehicles in America.

The Testing Will Go On

With Nissan planning to unveil truly autonomous vehicles in Japan by 2027, the automaker still has its work cut out for it. Over the next several years, Nissan plans to continue testing in the Yokohama area.

For now, the automaker will maintain 20 vehicles with drivers on board. This phase aims to gradually increase the vehicles’ autonomy levels and gauge customer acceptance as that happens.

In 2027, Nissan plans to launch several dozen fully self-driving cars for its Smart Mobility project. The service will be available in three to four different Municipalities in Japan.

Will the Popular Nissan Altima Become Fully Autonomous?

Nissan has not yet released plans to offer SAE Level 4 autonomous vehicles on a large scale. The cars used for the company’s pilot program in Japan are Nissan Leaf models.

Current tests are limited to one vehicle model in one area of Japan, but that doesn’t mean drivers should rule out all of Nissan’s other models. Drivers can now get adaptive cruise control in the Nissan Altima, Murano, Rogue, and Pathfinder.

The Future of Autonomous Vehicles in the US

Nissan isn’t the only automaker experimenting with self-driving technology. Big names like Tesla, Volvo, Kia, and even Apple have also been developing the technologies required to manufacture autonomous vehicles.

So far, none of the attempts at creating SAE Level 4 autonomous vehicles have panned out. Apple’s iCar is now under development in China, but upon completion, it’s unlikely to become immediately available to US consumers.

Tesla is implementing software updates for its autopilot system, while Volvo is testing relevant technologies in a research center in Torslanda. Kia plans to launch vehicles with limited self-driving capacities in 2025.

For now, advanced driver assistance features are the closest American drivers can get to autonomous vehicles. However, Nissan’s Smart Mobility pilot program shows all that could be about to change.