Nissan and DeNA unveil mobility service featuring autonomous driving technology

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Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and DeNA Co., Ltd. have unveiled their Easy Ride mobility service that will utilize autonomous driving technology.

Easy Ride’s concept is “more freedom of mobility,” and it is “envisioned as a service for anyone who wants to travel freely to their destination of choice in a robo-vehicle.”

For Easy Ride customers, the goal is for them to be able to complete the entire process— from setting destinations and summoning vehicles to paying the fare—through a dedicated mobile app.

Customers will also be able to select recommended local destinations and sightseeing routes depending on their objectives.

To ensure customer safety, the companies will utilize a remote monitoring system. They also plan to support multiple languages.

Since January of this year, Nissan and DeNA have been working together on the development of this new mobility service that uses autonomous driving technology. The companies would like to combine the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision—through technological assets in autonomous driving, vehicle electrification and connected cars—with DeNA’s experience in developing and operating driverless mobility services, using the company's extensive knowledge in the internet and artificial intelligence.

In 2018, from March 5 to 18, Nissan and DeNA will conduct a field test with public participation in the Minatomirai district of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Participants for the test will be recruited up until Jan. 15.

Nissan and DeNA hope that the new service will serve as a supplement to existing transportation options. They are also hopeful that the service will help energize cities and neighborhoods, as customers will be able to discover new local destinations through Easy Ride.