Nissan's Self-Driving LEAF Debuts on European Roads in London Trials

Nissan’s Autonomous Vehicle Makes European Debut in London

In a landmark moment for autonomous driving technology, Nissan’s self-driving LEAF electric car navigated the streets of London this week—marking the company’s first European trials of its autonomous vehicle system. Equipped with advanced cameras, radars, and laser sensors, the modified LEAF successfully handled urban challenges like multi-lane roads, roundabouts, and variable traffic conditions at speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h).

Why London? Britain’s Push for Autonomous Leadership

Britain has positioned itself as a hub for self-driving innovation, offering flexible regulations to attract developers. The government estimates the global autonomous vehicle industry could reach £900 billion ($1.1 trillion) by 2025. Recent policy changes, such as allowing single insurance coverage for both manual and autonomous driving, further solidify the UK’s commitment to adopting this technology by 2020.

“It’s not everywhere in Europe that we can go and drive on the road,” said Maarten Sierhuis, director of Nissan’s Silicon Valley research center. “London’s progressive approach made it the ideal testing ground.”

How the Trials Worked

• Route Selection: Tests focused on less congested areas near ExCeL exhibition center and London City Airport to ensure safety during initial trials.
• Safety Protocols: Nissan collaborated with Transport for London and local police, sharing detailed route plans and maintaining incident logs.
• Tech Showcase: The car switches to autonomous mode via an ‘Enter’ button, with a live display tracking nearby vehicles (marked in red/green) and current speed.
• Sensor Array: Nearly two dozen cameras, radars, and lasers guide the vehicle’s path.

Global Race for Autonomous Dominance

Nissan joins a competitive field:

• Google and Tesla have conducted extensive U.S. tests.
• Jaguar Land Rover plans to deploy 100 connected/autonomous cars in the UK by 2020.
• Volvo is preparing its own London trials.

What’s Next for Nissan?

Following the London tests, Nissan aims to expand trials to other European cities, including Paris and Amsterdam. “Each location requires new mapping and regulatory approvals, which makes testing costly and complex,” Sierhuis noted. The company has previously tested the autonomous LEAF in Tokyo and Silicon Valley.

This milestone underscores the rapid evolution of self-driving technology—and Europe’s growing role in shaping its future.

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