Speaking of one of the most popular compact SUVs among Thai customers, the All-New NISSAN KICKS e‑POWER comes equipped with ProPILOT, Nissan's intelligent driver-assistance system designed to work seamlessly alongside the driver in real-world driving situations. ProPILOT was not developed overnight. It is the culmination of decades of Nissan's engineering expertise, continuous testing, and an unwavering commitment to enhancing safety, comfort, and driver confidence on every journey.
The journey of ProPILOT began long before driver-assistance technologies became mainstream. It is built upon a strong foundation of safety innovations that Nissan has continuously refined for decades. Together with the versatile engineers who develop foundational safety technologies like Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), the technical foundations that would eventually lead to ProPILOT were established.
Building Confidence Through Meticulous Development
When Nissan introduced the first-generation ProPILOT in 2016, the company also advanced its testing capabilities through Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (HILS), allowing engineers to evaluate complex driving scenarios in a virtual environment before conducting real-world tests.
As the technology evolved, so did the scale of validation. Nissan engineers expanded testing far beyond conventional road trials, recreating thousands of situations – 2,300 trails in simulation to be exact – from sudden braking and unexpected lane changes to system failures. This approach enabled Nissan to identify hidden issues early and strengthen system reliability before vehicles reached customers.
One notable example involved a software issue that prevented the system from activating despite all components appearing to function normally. After weeks of detailed analysis, engineers traced the problem to an incorrect signal from a backup unit. Identifying and resolving such issues before road testing helped ensure development stayed on track while reinforcing Nissan's commitment to safety.
Turning Testing into Trust
Simulation is only part of the story. Once virtual validation is complete, Nissan engineers conduct extensive real-world testing to ensure the ProPILOT performs naturally and confidently in everyday driving situations.
The AD/ADAS Performance Testing team have spent years refining ProPILOT through thousands of miles of testing on highways, proving grounds, and challenging road environments. Their work focuses not only on safety, but also on creating a seamless driving experience that feels intuitive to drivers.
From evaluating lane-keeping performance on Tokyo's complex expressways to studying vehicle responses to pedestrians, cyclists, and other unexpected obstacles, every test serves a single objective: delivering unwavering safety through technology that customers can trust. This comes with the philosophy that advanced driver assistance should feel natural, reassuring, and supportive rather than intrusive.
A Commitment That Never Stops
Over the years, ProPILOT has continued to evolve through continuous learning, testing, and refinement. Nissan's engineers remain focused on improving how the system supports drivers in real-world situations, helping reduce fatigue while maintaining confidence behind the wheel.
Looking ahead, Nissan will continue advancing ProPILOT with next-generation technologies and increasingly sophisticated capabilities. While the technology itself will evolve, the guiding principle remains unchanged: delivering safe, reliable, and human-centered mobility.
From the earliest safety systems to the latest ProPILOT innovations, Nissan's engineers continue to pursue the same mission – making every journey easier, safer, and more enjoyable for customers.
In Thailand, ProPILOT technology was first introduced in the All-New NISSAN KICKS e‑POWER, bringing advanced driver-assistance capabilities to everyday driving. Designed to enhance confidence, comfort, and convenience on both daily commutes and long-distance journeys, ProPILOT reflects Nissan's commitment to developing innovative technologies that are not only cutting-edge, but also practical and relevant to the real-world needs of drivers.
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For more information, please contact:
Communications Department
Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
E-mail: Communications@nissan.co.th