How Nissan ProPilot Assist 2.0 Works

Safety is the name of the game in every new Nissan vehicle to hit the market. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist 2.0 is only the beginning of Nissan’s quest for the perfect self-driving vehicle, but it’s definitely got us excited!

Keep scrolling to learn more about what Nissan ProPilot Assist 2.0 is and how it works from our team at Maus Nissan North Tampa.

What is ProPilot Assist 2.0?

ProPilot Assist 2.0 represents the second generation of Nissan’s existing ProPilot Assist system. This suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) is a ramp-to-ramp system that is designed to give drivers the ability to experience safe hands-off driving when cruising on a predefined route on the road.

It does require drivers to remain attentive and be ready at a moment’s notice to take over control, but it is a step in the right direction towards the goal of self-driving vehicles.

Features of ProPilot Assist 2.0

As a ramp-to-ramp system, ProPilot Assist’s hands-free driving capabilities are only available on mapped, limited access highways designated for its use. It provides hands-free driver assistance in situations that are typically encountered on highways, freeways, and expressways including:

• Passing
• Lane diversions (where the highway divides)
• Lane exiting

Unlike fully autonomous driving systems, ProPilot Assist 2.0 requires the driver to remain alert throughout the entire drive. The systems will sometimes prompt the driver to take the wheel in certain conditions as well.

What is it Designed to Do?

The ProPilot Assist 2.0 ADAS technology enables the vehicle to traverse pre-mapped highway systems but does not work in challenging or potentially hazardous situations such as an intersection. Why? Well, the rules of the road where streets cross one another can be challenging for an automated system to figure out, so the driver must take control to complete those tasks.

The system is quite helpful in providing hands-off driving at a set speed while cruising on the highway. It can even indicate to the driver that it is possible to pass a slower-moving vehicle if conditions are favorable.

If this opportunity to pass a slower car arises, the ProPilot Assist 2.0 system will prompt the driver with audio and visual cues. For the pass to be completed, the driver must agree to the action by putting both hands on the steering wheel and activating a switch. At that point, the vehicle will pass the slower car.

The driver can also initiate the lane change by putting both hands on the wheel and using the turn signal to indicate the desired lane. The system will use its sensor and computer logic to determine if the lane change is safe, and then will complete it.

Finally, when the vehicle nears a highway exit that is part of the predetermined route, it will notify the driver that the hands-free operation is about to end. As the car reaches the exit ramp, the assisted driving technology will disengage, and the driver must take control to complete the journey.

How Does the Technology Work?

A critical component of the ProPilot Assist 2.0 system is high-precision satellite positioning technology which allows the system to place the vehicle’s second-by second position on mapped highways.

At the same time, the system requires high-definition map data of the highway and its surroundings. This goes far beyond “street maps” and includes things like:

• Road curvature
• Slope
• Elevation
• Lane markings
• Speed limits
• Road signs

When the vehicle is driving along the predetermined route, the system marks the car’s progress to the centimeter.

The system requires more than just knowing where the vehicle is on the highway though. It also needs to have a picture of the positions of the other cars on the road and the lane markers. To do so, it incorporates multiple cameras, radar sensors, and sonar sensors. It must be able to use all of this incoming data in real-time to steer and control the throttle and brake.

As you can see, this requires significant computer programming to integrate all the data and provide the proper inputs to keep the vehicle safe on the road.

Try ProPilot Assist 2.0 For Yourself

Ready to try ProPilot Assist 2.0 for yourself? Schedule a test drive with any ProPilot Assist 2.0-equipped vehicle at Maus Nissan North Tampa and we will show you the ropes!

Want to know more about ProPilot Assist 2.0? Call our team at (813) 800-6287! We’d be happy to chat!