Nissan UK launches autonomous driving research project
Nissan is launching a research project called 'ADventure' in Cambridge, UK. With funding from the British government, the company aims to investigate how autonomous passenger transport services can be safely introduced in real communities.
Grafik: Nissan
The Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in Cranfield, in collaboration with the Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick, is leading a UK government-funded research project named ‘ADventure’. Backed by £3 million in funding, the project aims to introduce a UK-wide mobility service that leverages autonomous driving (AD) technologies.
The focus extends beyond vehicle technology; ADventure also explores how an autonomous mobility service can operate under real-world conditions. In partnership with local authorities, commuters, and residents, the project seeks to understand how future autonomous driving technologies can deliver societal value, enhance mobility and accessibility, and address local traffic challenges. Nissan suggests one potential application could involve autonomously transporting individuals who cannot drive – such as to a medical appointment.
“This project is an important step for autonomous mobility in the UK,” said Nissan manager David Moss. “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.”
Nissan to use Cambridge as a testbed
The renowned university city of Cambridge, north of London, has been selected as the real-world testbed for implementing a mobility service with the potential to scale across the UK. Cambridge was chosen after a rigorous selection process due to its reputation as one of the UK’s leading centres for traffic innovation and autonomous mobility research. According to Nissan, the city has already launched several groundbreaking autonomous driving initiatives, making it an ideal environment to explore how autonomous services can complement local transport networks and meet the needs of the population.
In collaboration with WMG and PAVE UK (Partners for Automated Vehicle Education UK), the project focuses on three key areas:
- Development of Mobility Services for Cities and Communities – exploring how autonomous mobility can complement existing transport networks and address local needs.
- Building Passenger Trust – understanding what people need to feel well-informed, safe, and confident when using future autonomous mobility services.
- Testing Technology Under Real-World Conditions – ensuring autonomous driving systems operate safely and effectively in public road traffic.
“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,” said Blair McDougall, Minister for Reindustrialisation at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. “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.”
ADventure will use an existing test vehicle based on the 2022 Nissan Leaf, which has already been deployed in previous UK research projects. Nissan is leveraging its experience in autonomous driving from earlier initiatives such as HumanDrive, ServCity, and evolvAD. These projects have contributed to a deeper understanding of how autonomous driving technology functions in various driving scenarios, the company states.
To conclude the ‘ADventure’ project, a demonstration drive on public roads in Cambridge will showcase how autonomous mobility services could one day contribute to a better-connected, barrier-free transport system for communities across the country.
