Nissan and UK Government Drive Self-Driving Taxis Forward

A groundbreaking UK government-funded research project, evolvAD, has successfully tested autonomous driving (AD) technology in electric vehicles, marking a major step forward for self-driving taxi services. Nissan, in collaboration with a consortium of five industry partners, conducted rigorous testing of 100% electric Nissan LEAFs equipped with cutting-edge autonomous technology across complex urban and rural roads. The project builds upon previous initiatives, HumanDrive and ServCity, which together have contributed to over 16,000 miles of autonomous driving in the UK with zero accidents.

As advancements in autonomous mobility accelerate, industry leaders are increasingly exploring innovative solutions to transform the taxi industry. Notably, AI start-up Wayve is expanding its technology, integrating artificial intelligence to enhance the performance and adaptability of self-driving taxis.

Self-Driving Cars and the Future of Mobility

The completion of evolvAD signals the UK’s readiness to integrate self-driving vehicles into its transport infrastructure, particularly within the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to address issues such as driver shortages, enhance road safety by reducing human error, and provide greater mobility access for individuals who are unable to drive, including elderly and disabled passengers.

David Moss, Senior Vice President, Region Research & Development for Nissan AMIEO, emphasized the benefits of autonomous mobility:

"As well as making driving safer by reducing human error, and cleaner by improving efficiency, this technology can give many more people access to mobility who may not have it today due to location, age, or disability."

With the increasing global interest in autonomous ride-hailing services, Nissan is conducting research in Japan, the UK, and the US to develop self-driving mobility solutions. The company has already begun testing autonomous taxis under its ‘Easy Ride’ project in Yokohama, Japan.

Rigorous Testing for Autonomous Taxi Deployment

The evolvAD project focused on testing self-driving technology in real-world conditions, preparing for future integration into the UK’s taxi industry. A key element was the challenge of navigating complex environments, including narrow residential roads, winding rural routes without lane markings, and busy urban centers. To enhance vehicle control, Nissan introduced a chassis control system that improved braking and steering performance, ensuring safe autonomous operation in diverse driving scenarios.

Robert Bateman, evolvAD Project Manager at Nissan Technical Centre Europe, highlighted the project’s role in shaping future autonomous mobility regulations:

"Following the successful conclusion of evolvAD and previous projects, we are now shifting towards studying the readiness of the UK to introduce AD systems. Again, working with partners, we need to develop a 360-degree understanding of infrastructure and regulatory needs across the country."

An important component of the project was the use of vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, which allows autonomous cars to receive data from external sources such as CCTV cameras installed in residential areas. This technology improves situational awareness and could play a crucial role in managing autonomous taxis in congested urban spaces.

Government Support and Industry Collaboration

The UK government has been a strong proponent of autonomous vehicle technology, providing funding through its £100 million Intelligent Mobility fund, administered by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). Nissan led the evolvAD project alongside industry partners Connected Places Catapult, Humanising Autonomy, SBD Automotive, and TRL, ensuring that the UK supply chain is prepared for large-scale deployment of self-driving vehicles.

Sarah Jones MP, Minister for Industry, praised the advancements made through the project:

"The UK is home to a world-class automotive sector, and I'm pleased this project has brought autonomous vehicles one step closer to reality. Our Industrial Strategy will strengthen this industry, bringing growth, jobs and opportunities to every part of the UK."

With the successful completion of evolvAD, the focus now shifts to assessing the UK's infrastructure, legal frameworks, and public acceptance to determine the feasibility of deploying autonomous taxis nationwide. As ride-hailing companies and taxi services look toward automation to address efficiency and safety concerns, the advancements in self-driving technology could reshape urban transportation in the years ahead.