Nissan and Honda partner with startups for autonomous driving

Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda are forming partnerships with startups to accelerate the development of autonomous driving technology powered by artificial intelligence. This strategic move aims to compete with leaders in the United States and China, such as Tesla, Xpeng, and Li Auto.

At Nissan’s technical center in Kanagawa, development is underway for autonomous technology intended for the Elgrand minivan, slated for release in fiscal year 2027. The vehicle will utilize end-to-end (E2E) AI technology. Unlike traditional systems that rely on pre-programmed rules, E2E systems use AI trained on vast datasets from onboard sensors to manage everything from environmental assessment to driving decisions, allowing for better navigation in complex traffic environments.

While Tesla and several Chinese manufacturers have already commercialized E2E technologies, Japanese companies are now focusing on improving Level 2++ systems, which are capable of navigating both highways and common urban roads.