Nissan shows safety features, electronic steering
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In this Friday, Oct 12, 2012 photo, a Nissan staff driver, partially seen at left, of a Leaf electric vehicle, releases his hands from the steering wheel as he shows automated steering parking technology at the Japanese automaker's test ground in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. Electronically managed steering that completely bypasses the mechanical link of a clutch is among the new safety technology from Nissan. -- PHOTO: AP
YOKOSUKA, Japan (AP) - Electronically managed steering that completely bypasses the mechanical link of a clutch is among the new safety technology from Japanese automaker Nissan.
Other vehicles are smart enough to park themselves. And some swerve automatically to avoid pedestrians.
Nissan Motor Co. Executive Vice President Mitsuhiko Yamashita said the latest safety advancements are proactive, unlike air-bags and other "passive" features that are triggered by a crash.
Next-generation steering uses electronic signals to control tires, not a mechanical link. It's set to be introduced in an Infiniti luxury model within a year, and would be a world first for a commercially produced car.
