Nissan’s ProPilot Assist Comes to America

 

With its ProPilot Assist feature, Nissan’s new 2018 Leaf is bringing drivers a little bit closer to the dream of a fully-automated car. The technology has already been introduced in Japan and Europe, and is now coming to the U.S.; you can see what the buzz is about at Peruzzi Nissan!

Essentially, the ProPilot Assist uses a combination of radar and sensors to keep your car centered in its lane, and at a (safe) distance from the car ahead of you.  You hit a button on the steering wheel, then “thumb” it to adjust range; the system then reads the lines on the road and does the steering to stay in the lane.

This makes it ideal for long, monotonous drives on open road. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist works starting at 20mph and up to 90 mph; you’ll need to take over in stop-and-go traffic.

However, Nissan emphasizes that this exciting feature is by no means hands-free; in fact, you must keep at least one hand on the wheel or you’ll get an “alert.”  If you don’t respond after ten seconds, the brakes pulse to get your attention.  A few seconds after that, your car starts to slow down, the hazard lights come on and the vehicle eventually comes to a full-stop in its lane. Like the name says, it’s merely an “assist,” so forget any ideas of kicking back and binge-watching Netflix on your phone.

You’ll also need to steer when road conditions are dodgy, like during a rainstorm when markers may not be clear, or if two lanes suddenly become one.  Also, if you try to change lanes without using the turn signal, the system will try to bring the car back to its original course. So driver attention is still required.

Like cruise control, Nissan’s ProPilot Assist feature is meant to reduce some of the stress of freeway driving, and to increase safety.  The technology behind it won’t replace a smart, alert driver (yet), but it’s the next step towards a totally-automated vehicle.  Come check it out at Peruzzi Nissan! Visit us at 165 Lincoln Highway in Fairless Hills, PA or browse out full selection of new and used vehicles.

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