NISSAN DEVELOPS DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST SYSTEM

NISSAN DEVELOPS DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST SYSTEM -- Helps drivers control following distances

TOKYO - March 15, 2006: In its ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced the development of Distance Control Assist System, an electronic system that helps drivers control the distance between themselves and the vehicle in front.

The new system is especially useful in heavy traffic when frequent braking is required.

The system is able to determine the following distance of the driver, as well as the relative speed of both cars, using a radar sensor installed in the front bumper. If the driver releases the gas pedal or is not pressing the gas pedal, the system automatically applies the brakes (*1 see below). If the system determines that braking is required, an indicator will appear on the instrument panel and a buzzer will sound simultaneously. The gas pedal will then automatically move upwards to assist the driver in switching to the brakes.

The Distance Control Assist System is the latest innovation developed under Nissan's Safety Shield concept (*2 see below), an accident prevention and management approach based on the idea of "vehicles that help protect people."

Detailed illustration of the Distance Control Assist System in operation:

Example of a car coming too close to a preceding vehicle

Example in which deceleration by a preceding vehicle requires the driver to brake

If the driver releases the gas pedal, the system will automatically apply the brakes (*1 see below). An indicator will appear on the instrument panel and a buzzer will sound simultaneously. The gas pedal will then automatically move up.

*1 The system applies the brakes only when the driver is not pressing the gas pedal.

*2 Safety Shield: Through this concept introduced in 2004, Nissan aims to help create a safe motorized society in which there are no traffic accidents. The company is continuously working to design and engineer safer vehicles and has set a goal of halving by 2015 the number of fatal and serious injuries involving Nissan vehicles as compared to the 1995 level.

System Structure