Nissan just gave the new IDS Concept its first appearance in the US at the 2016 North American International Auto Show — allowing those with a taste for the future to catch a glimpse of where things may be headed.
The IDS Concept is, amongst other things, intended to serve as an example of what a future fully autonomous, zero-emissions car could be like.
“Nissan’s forthcoming technologies will revolutionize the relationship between car and driver, and future mobility,” stated Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn last October, during the IDS Concept’s world debut at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. “Nissan Intelligent Driving improves a driver’s ability to see, think and react. It compensates for human error, which causes more than 90% of all car accidents. As a result, time spent behind the wheel is safer, cleaner, more efficient and more fun.”
Here’s more via a press release:
Some have compared a future with autonomous drive to living in a world of conveyer belts that simply ferry people from point A to B, but the Nissan IDS Concept promises a very different vision of tomorrow. Even when the driver selects Piloted Drive and turns over driving to the vehicle, the car’s performance — from accelerating to braking to cornering — imitates the driver’s own style and preferences.
In Manual Drive mode, the driver has control. The linear acceleration and cornering are pure and exhilarating. Yet behind the scenes, the Nissan IDS Concept continues to provide assistance. Sensors continually monitor conditions and assistance is available even while the driver is in control. In the event of imminent danger, Nissan IDS Concept will assist the driver in taking evasive action. In addition to learning, the Nissan IDS Concept’s AI communicates like an attentive partner. From information concerning traffic conditions, the driver’s schedule to personal interests, Nissan IDS Concept’s AI has what is needed to help create a driving experience that is comfortable, enjoyable and safe.
“A key point behind the Nissan IDS Concept is communication. For autonomous drive to become reality, as a society we have to consider not only communication between car and driver but also between cars and people. The Nissan IDS Concept’s design embodies Nissan’s vision of autonomous drive as expressed in the phrase together, we ride,” noted Mitsunori Morita, Design Director.
Interesting ideas. Though of course concept cars are just concept cars. How much of this is actually going to find its way into a production vehicle?