Nissan to trial self-driving cars on Cambridge roads

Nissan will bring self-driving cars to Cambridge as part of a research project to explore how autonomous drive passenger services can be safely introduced to real-world communities.

The £3m UK Government-backed ‘ADventure’ project with Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of Warwick, and PAVE UK (Partners for Automated Vehicle Education UK), will set a blueprint for other communities using autonomous driving (AD) technology.

Under ADventure, a team of Nissan engineers and partners will use a specially equipped 2022 Nissan LEAF to combine real-world testing and community engagement to shape city-ready autonomous mobility services. The project will examine how future AD technology can create social value, improve accessibility and address local transport challenges. One potential real-world scenario could be taking a person who doesn’t drive to a medical appointment.

The project will focus on three key areas:

• Designing mobility services around cities and communities – understanding how autonomous mobility could complement existing transport networks and respond to local needs.
• Building passenger confidence – exploring what people need to feel informed, comfortable and included when using future autonomous mobility services.
• Testing technology in real-world conditions – validating how autonomous driving systems perform safely and effectively on public roads.

David Moss, Senior Vice President, Research and Development, Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO) said: “This project is an important step for autonomous mobility in the UK. With UK Government backing, it will take autonomous vehicle research beyond central London and into another city, helping us understand how these services can work for different communities and real-life journeys.

“By developing and applying Nissan’s in-house expertise, combined with the wider knowledge from our partners, we can delve further into how self-driving vehicles can improve connectivity, accessibility and quality of everyday life.”

Minister for Reindustrialisation for Department of Business, Innovations, Science and Trade, Blair McDougall added: “Britain’s autonomous vehicle sector is world-class, and our Modern Industrial Strategy is bringing business and science together to support the innovators shaping the future of transport.

By backing cutting-edge technologies with the investment they need to scale up key projects, we are backing firms like Nissan to drive growth and create jobs in every part of the UK – reinforcing Britain’s leadership in this fast-growing industry.”