Google might be the leading name in the pursuit of the autonomous driving technology for the time being, but they are not the only ones in the field making a great progress. Over in Japan where the 2012 Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies (CEATEC) was taking place, Nissan had showcased their own autonomous car with a couple of tricks kept under the sleeves.
Known as the NSC-2015, the prototype car is a specially-modified Nissan LEAF fitted with various remote monitoring modules and 4G communications system that links to the driver’s smartphone. This system enables the driver to exit his vehicle and actually leave the NSC-2015 to search for parking spot and even park itself in. And once the driver wants to get back into his vehicle, he could simply send a command through the paired smartphone and the NSC-2015 will go to the place where the driver is waiting.
Unlike the GPS-based systems used by other developers, Nissan’s decision in using imaging-based systems gives the advantage for the NSC-2015 to continuously monitor its surroundings while parked, and could even send a notification to the owner if it detects any suspicious activity. It also has an advantage in navigating through locations or routes that are not covered by satellite, such as a deep sub-basement.
