Top tech in store from Nissan

Nissan is introducing a new satellite navigation-based driver aid, which it says will help roads become safer and make drive-time 'greener'.

The system is an extension of the company's 'Intelligent Transportation System' first developed in 2006 under the 'SKY' project; SKY standing for StartITS from Kanagawa, Yokohama -- where testing of the system began. The ITS uses vehicle-to-infrastructure information gathered from relatively inexpensive roadside receivers to deliver messages to the driver such as intersection and school zone alerts, and speed control warnings.

Nissan says the features will be made available in the 2009-2010 Fuga luxury large car model (sold in the US and soon-for-Europe as the Infiniti M45). The school zone warning function has been available in the Japan-market Skyline since July.

Also using sat-nav and the now-humble mobile phone, Nissan has designed a Fastest Route Guidance system that receives traffic details monitored by an information centre. Rather than 'fastest route' suggesting slick overtaking moves (see picture), the company argues the system will help reduce CO2 emissions with drivers spending less time on the roads in traffic congestion.

Nissan's navigation-linked speed control feature takes in to account road conditions such as a curve or upcoming toll gate to control the engine and transmission in order to optimise engine braking and fuel savings.

The Japanese company is rolling out a number of latest-tech features set for its production models over the next few years. Nissan has its own version of active cruise control, for example, as part of its Safety Shield program, as well as adaptive headlights, seatbelt pretensioning system and active headrests. Also on the agenda for other models is a pop-up bonnet to help reduce injury in the event of impact with pedestrians.

According to Nissan the majority of accidents in Japan are rear-end collisions, accounting for around 30 per cent of accidents. To that end, the company has developed Intelligent Brake Assist, which activates deceleration of the vehicle and removes 'play' in the braking system for better response.

Nissan is also making unique moves in fuel saving technologies via its Eco Pedal system, and was the world's first manufacturer (with partner Renault) to integrate 'ultra low precious' materials for the catalytic converter and to increase the recyclability of Nissan models.The company uses nano technology to reduce the incidence of 'clumping' of precious metals like platinum and rhodium inside the catalyst, thereby minimising the amount of precious metal(s) used.

While the ongoing development of more efficient uses of precious metals is employed range-wide in Nissan's production vehicles, currently Australia's road infrastructure is a long way off being able to support technology such as Nissan's SKY project.

Visit the Carsales Network again for our coverage of Nissan's Advanced Technology Briefing in Tokyo this week.

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