The Renault-Nissan Alliance has announced it will launch more than 10 new vehicles with autonomous technology in the next four years.
The range of vehicles will be launched in Europe, the US, China and Japan.
The brands said the technology would be installed on mainstream, mass-market cars at what it calls ‘affordable’ prices.
The group also confirmed it would introduce a range of new connectivity apps, allowing motorists to stay connected to social networks and work while driving.
This year will mark the debut of vehicles with ‘single lane control’, a feature allowing vehicles to drive autonomously, while in 2018 the manufacturers will launch models with their ‘multiple-lane control’ system, which will allow vehicles to autonomously navigate hazards and change lanes.
The final step in the group’s programme meanwhile, will come in 2020, when the companies plan to roll out the ‘intersection autonomy’ feature, which will allow the vehicle to navigate city traffic without driver intervention.
Meanwhile, the alliance will launch a new automotive app next year which allows remote interaction with cars, providing new multimedia and navigation features, as well as improved smartphone integration and wireless map updates, while in 2018, the platform will support a virtual personal assistant feature for individual and business customers.
“Renault-Nissan Alliance is deeply committed to the twin goals of ‘zero emissions and zero fatalities’,” chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn said. “That’s why we are developing autonomous driving and connectivity for mass-market, mainstream vehicles on three continents.”