On the Dash:
- Nissan plans to introduce hands-free urban autonomous driving technology in production vehicles by fiscal 2027.
- The next-generation ProPilot system integrating Wayve AI is expected to expand assisted driving capabilities beyond current Level 2 technology.
- Partnerships in autonomous ride-hailing could enhance Nissan’s brand visibility while accelerating industry investments in self-driving vehicles.
Nissan is in final talks with Uber Technologies to deploy autonomous vehicles for global ride-hailing services, using self-driving technology the automaker is developing with U.K.-based Wayve Technologies, Nikkei Asia reported Monday.
The partnership aims to deliver production vehicles in fiscal 2027 that feature hands-free, autonomous driving capable of navigating urban environments. Uber plans to offer the service in Japan and overseas within the next few years.
Wayve specializes in end-to-end autonomous technology, where AI manages perception and decision-making by analyzing footage from onboard cameras. The system uses neural networks trained on real-world fleet data and simulations, allowing it to operate in complex traffic without relying on high-definition maps or pre-coded rules. The platform is modeled on Tesla’s supervised Full Self-Driving system, with no geographic restrictions.
Nissan’s current technology is Level 2, requiring drivers to take control in certain situations. The automaker is working toward fully driverless Level 5 operation. Its next-generation ProPilot system, integrating Wayve AI software, is expected to launch in Japan and North America by early 2028.
The technology will be compatible with several Nissan utility models, including the Armada, Pathfinder, and Rogue, the company’s U.S. volume leader.
The discussion addresses Nissan’s declining sales in key markets and its attempt to leverage its partnership with Uber to boost brand momentum. Meanwhile, Uber is furthering its autonomous ride-hailing expansion by collaborating with other automakers, with plans to deploy over 20,000 Lucid vehicles integrated with Nuro’s self-driving technology within the next six years.
