LONDON, Oct 5:
Researchers have unveiled a new smart electric car that is able to park itself and come to the driver when “called”.
Nissan’s NSC-2015 is only a prototype, but its name suggests that the carmaker aims to have it on the market by 2015, the ‘BBC News’ reported.
However, one analyst warned that the mass use of such cars was a long way off.
The NSC-2015 is a modified version of Nissan’s Leaf model and was launched at the Ceatec 2012 show in Tokyo.
The car relies on sensors, cameras, computers and 4G communication technology for wireless links to navigate, and robotics to turn the steering wheel, change gears and brake.
The car drove itself at about 5km/h in a straight line forward and in reverse, and was able to turn, during a demonstration.
The car could recognise road markings and was able to stop at a crossing.
“After the driver exits the NSC-2015, it starts to park itself automatically, following the instructions given by smartphone,” the company said.
“The vehicle looks for a vacant parking space while identifying its surroundings; once it detects an open parking space automated parking begins.
“The driver can also use smartphone commands to make the NSC-2015 vehicle leave the parking space and return to the place where he or she is,” it said.
The car’s security system automatically works with a camera installed in the vehicle.
If the system detects suspicious behaviour, the driver is alerted automatically by a report to his or her smartphone.
However, Tooru Futami, director at electronics engineering development division at Nissan, told Forbes the demo version could only self-park in an area equipped with sensors and restricted to other robotic cars to avoid the risk of collision. (PTI)
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