Blog

An anthropologist is someone who studies humankind and people. When you consider that fact, it seems counterintuitive to bring on a scientist from that field to assist in the making of an autonomous vehicle. But that’s exactly what Nissan has done. "We are working at the heart, the guts of the core technology and bringing insights and the kind of understanding that we have about human practices and human experience right into the fundamental design of the system," said Melissa Cefkin, principal scientist and design anthropologist at the Nissan Research Center in Silicon Valley. One way her insight might prove helpful when you look at what happens at a four-way stop intersection. Typically people follow rules and motion for other drivers to make their move. A problem occurs when you take the person out of that situation. "What happens at a four-way stop – it's open to a lot of interpretation," she explained. "Yeah, I'm supposed to stop, (but) once I've stopped it doesn't tell me when to go again, so that's up to me to figure out." Nissan believes that Cefkin and her studies can add valuable information about human driving patterns, behaviors, and interactions in order to ensure that their ProPILOT technology is a “good” driver and a model citizen behind the wheel. Clearly, Nissan has put a lot of foresight and preparedness into this technology. "People Behind the ProPILOT: What Does an Anthropologist Bring to Autonomous Driving Design?" Nissan Online Newsroom. Nissan, 10 Aug. 2016. Web. 24 Aug. 2016.

Nissan has taken the initial step towards autonomous driving. “ProPilot” will be debuted in Japan in an upcoming model and will allow drivers to engage in nearly hands-free driving. Along with controlling braking, steering, and acceleration automatically, the ProPilot uses a camera and image-processing technology to recognize other vehicles and lane markers on the road. The technology can be engaged when the speed of the vehicle is between 19 and 62 MPH and will be able to maintain a safe driving distance from other cars and stay in the center of the lane it is in. The ProPilot doesn’t quite allow for complete hands-free driving yet as a safety precaution and will automatically disengage if hands are not interacting with the wheel. Additional functionality will be released on future models but for now, this iteration is well suited for highly congested roads and highways. Nissan has not said when the technology will be available in the US or on which models. "Nissan Now Has an Autonomous System and It Will Come to the US." Autoblog. Autoblog, 13 July 2016. Web. 29 July 2016.

In order to help promote their goal of "enriching people's lives," Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. recently released their 2015 Sustainability Report which highlights how the brand plans to achieve this goal. Overall, the report is designed to emphasize and explain how the company plans to develop a sustainable society and create greater economic value is its business activities. Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan said, "We want to be the auto industry's most socially and environmentally responsible manufacturer. Whether we are working to address climate change, rapid urbanization, transportation for aging populations and vehicle safety, Nissan is committed to identifying the solutions we need." A total of eight sustainability strategies* are outlined in this new report along with the CSR Scorecard, which outlines the specific activities in each area while evaluating the progress that the brand has made in terms of annual objectives. Additionally, the report also contains a chapter called  "Working toward a Sustainable Mobility Society,"  which explains Nissan’s goal to create a zero-emissions and zero-fatalities society by eliminating vehicular emissions and helping to prevent avoidable deaths and injuries. *Environment, safety, philanthropy, quality, value chain, employees, economic contribution, corporate governance and internal control.