Category: Nissan ProPILOT


ProPILOT Assist 2.0 vs 1.0: 5 Upgrades South African Drivers Should Know

Posted by on 30 May 2025

Nissan ProPILOT Assist 2.0 vs 1.0 Explained

Best Nissan ProPILOT Assist 2.0 vs 1.0 Explained

There’s a noticeable shift happening in the way we drive. Cars are starting to help out in real ways: easing the load in traffic, keeping us in our lane on long trips, and stepping in when our attention slips for a second.

If you’ve driven the last-gen Qashqai (now discontinued) or X-Trail, you may already be familiar with ProPILOT Assist 1.0, a system that supports you with steering, braking, and acceleration when conditions allow. First introduced on the current-generation Nissan LEAF in 2017, it’s gradually made its way into more models, and for many South African drivers, especially those logging long hours on the road, it has quietly changed the experience of highway driving.

But Nissan’s latest version – ProPILOT Assist 2.0- brings even more new features, deeper intelligence, and a more seamless human-machine partnership on the road. So, what exactly sets ProPILOT Assist 2.0 apart from version 1.0? And more importantly, why should South African drivers care? Any technology that can help us navigate the chaos of South African roads, whether it’s bumper-to-bumper city traffic or unpredictable highway conditions, is worth understanding.

Taking The Stress Out Of Highway Driving

ProPILOT is Nissan’s semi-autonomous advanced driver assistance system built specifically for highway driving. Backed by over two decades of development, it combines proven safety features with the latest in radar and camera technology to support steering, acceleration, and braking. The system can operate automatically in certain conditions, helping reduce driver fatigue in stop-start traffic and on longer journeys.

One of its key features is stop-and-hold functionality that can bring the car to a complete stop, keep it stationary, and then accelerate again when traffic moves. It’s a valuable support tool, especially in heavy traffic or on long highway stretches, helping you stay centred in your lane and keep a safe following distance with less effort. Drivers can switch ProPILOT Assist on or off using a button conveniently placed on the steering wheel.

Understanding The Versions Of ProPILOT Assist

Nissan has steadily refined ProPILOT Assist over the years, building on each version to add more capability and comfort behind the wheel:

ProPILOT Assist 1.1

ProPILOT Assist 2.0

This first version focuses on single-lane highway driving. It combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance to help maintain a steady speed, a safe following distance, and keep the car centred in its lane. Drivers must keep their hands on the wheel at all times.

Representing a significant leap forward in driver assistance technology, this version allows hands-free driving on select pre-mapped highways when conditions are right. It also brings in enhanced lane change support, helping the vehicle shift lanes smoothly when the driver indicates, thanks to a more sophisticated sensor suite, high-definition maps, and a driver-monitoring system. While driving, you can let go of the wheel and take your feet off the pedals, but you still need to stay alert and ready to step in if the situation calls for it.

5 Key Upgrades With ProPILOT Assist 2.0

Nissan has long been a leader in vehicle safety, and with the introduction of ProPILOT Assist 2.1, drivers now have access to even more intelligent features designed to make every journey safer and more comfortable. Here’s a look at some features included in ProPilot Assist 2.0.

1. Hands-Free Highway Driving

ProPILOT Assist 2.0 allows drivers to go hands-free in single-lane highway scenarios under specific conditions. The system uses a driver-facing camera to ensure you’re paying attention and can retake control if necessary. It’s not fully autonomous, but it’s a major step toward it.

2. Automatic Lane Changes

Tap the indicator, and ProPILOT 2.0 can safely change lanes for you, scanning surrounding traffic, checking blind spots, and executing the manoeuvre when it’s safe. The car can assist with lane changes either by prompting the driver to confirm or by executing the manoeuvre with driver input. In high-speed multi-lane scenarios, this upgrade adds both confidence and convenience.

3. Navigation Link Integration

Using high-definition maps, ProPILOT 2.0 adjusts your speed proactively when approaching off-ramps, curves, or intersections. It anticipates the road ahead rather than reacting to it, creating a smoother, safer ride, especially important for South African roads where conditions can change quickly.

4. Driver Attention Monitoring

2.0 features a more advanced driver monitoring system that doesn’t just check for steering input—it actually tracks eye movement and head position. This means better accuracy in determining driver alertness and a safer experience overall.

5. 360° Camera Integration

By combining data from radar, cameras, sonar, and GPS, the system offers a more holistic view of your surroundings. This is especially useful in SA’s mixed driving environments, where unexpected hazards, from taxis to wildlife, can appear at any moment.

Side-by-Side Comparison: ProPILOT Assist 1.0 vs 2.0

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison to help you see how the two versions stack up:

Feature

ProPILOT Assist 1.0

ProPILOT Assist 2.0

Hands-Free Driving

No, hands must stay on the wheel

Yes, in designated highway conditions

Adaptive Cruise Control

Yes – maintains speed and distance

Yes – improved responsiveness

Lane Keeping / Centring

Yes – active at highway speeds

Yes – enhanced with more natural steering

Automatic Lane Changes

No

Yes – driver-initiated, system-assisted

Map-Based Predictive Driving

No

Yes – adjusts speed for curves, junctions

Driver Monitoring System

Basic – monitors steering input

Advanced – camera tracks driver attention

Sensor Suite

Radar + camera

Radar, cameras, sonar + high-def maps

Available In SA

Yes – Qashqai, X-Trail

Not yet – launch models expected soon

Best Use Case

Stop-start traffic and steady highway drives

Long-distance cruising and busy highways

Current Availability And What’s Coming

As of now, ProPILOT Assist 1.0 is available in South Africa on models like the last-gen Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail. Nissan’s ProPILOT technology will also be available in the all-new Nissan Patrol, which is planned to launch in South Africa in 2026.

ProPILOT Assist 2.0, however, is currently rolling out internationally, starting with top-tier models like the Nissan Ariya and select variants of the Altima and Rogue in North America and Japan. To date, ProPILOT 2.0 has earned strong praise from drivers globally for being a confidence-boosting technology that helps ease stress and fatigue behind the wheel. While there’s no official South African release date yet, Nissan has confirmed it’s actively planning for the local rollout of 2.0-equipped models as our infrastructure and legal frameworks align with the tech’s capabilities.

Experience ProPILOT For Yourself

We often talk about driver fatigue, long commutes, and unpredictable road conditions as just “part of life” in South Africa. But Nissan’s ProPILOT technology directly addresses those realities, making it easier, safer, and smarter to drive. With ongoing enhancements in their technology, Nissan is paving the way toward fully autonomous driving with features that will be increasingly relevant as global and local regulations evolve.

If you’re curious to experience the future of driving, book a ProPILOT demo drive today at your nearest Group1 Nissan dealership for a hands-on experience with the last-generation Qashqai or X-Trail. Or, follow our Group1 Nissan Facebook page for launch alerts to be among the first to know when ProPILOT Assist 2.0-equipped models arrive in South Africa.

Upgrade your drive with smarter, safer, and more intuitive driving assistance!

The post ProPILOT Assist 2.0 vs 1.0: 5 Upgrades South African Drivers Should Know appeared first on Nissan Blog at Group1.



How Does Nissan’s New Driver-Assistance Technology Work?

Posted by on 24 May 2022

Nissan’s “ground truth perception” technology

Nissan is developing new driver-assist technology – “ground truth perception”

Nissan has long been a leader in driver-assistance technology which will stand them in good stead since it will play a vital role in the world of self-driving vehicles, which is not that far away. With a big focus on vehicle safety, Nissan is developing a new driver-assistance technology that uses highly accurate, real-time data of the vehicle’s surrounding environment which will help greatly improve collision avoidance.

Testing The New Driver-Assistance Technology

One of the biggest concerns over autonomous vehicles is collision avoidance from simple evading manoeuvres to more complex scenarios. So, with an eye on the future and improving overall road safety, Nissan showcased its new driver-assistance technology using a test vehicle at its facility in Japan.

Here, it successfully performed automatic collision-avoidance manoeuvres thanks to the automaker’s “ground truth perception” technology. It combines information from next-generation high-performance LIDAR, radar and cameras to identify and react to what lies ahead in real-time. This includes the following:

  • Detect the shape and distance of objects
  • Calculate the structure of the area surrounding the vehicle with an exceptionally high level of accuracy
  • Instantly analyse the current situation and take the appropriate action to avoid a potential collision
  • This new driver-assistance technology can detect slowed traffic and road obstacles and execute lane changes accordingly
  • It can also provide added support to drivers in areas where detailed map information is unavailable

According to Takao Asami, senior vice president, leading global research and development: “Nissan has been the first to market a number of advanced driver assistance technologies. When we look at the future of autonomous driving, we believe that it is of utmost importance for owners to feel highly confident in the safety of their vehicles. We are confident that our in-development ground truth perception technology will make a significant contribution to owner confidence, reduced traffic accidents and autonomous driving in the future.”

Developing The Next-Gen LIDAR For Autonomous Driving

In preparation for the inevitable future of autonomous vehicles, Nissan has partnered with several reputable companies to research and develop this collision avoidance driver-assistance technology. Using leading technologies, the next-generation LIDAR will be integrated into Nissan’s system with Luminar, a global automotive technology company.

When it comes to advanced collision avoidance control, it is crucial to develop highly accurate verification technology within a digital environment. As with the collaboration with Luminar, Nissan is also partnering with Applied Intuition, a software engineering company with state-of-the-art simulation technology. All stakeholders working closely together and sharing knowledge puts Nissan in the driving seat in terms of developing next-gen driver-assistance technology.

The Future Of Autonomous Vehicles And Driver-Assistance Technology

Nissan has a long-term vision called Nissan Ambition 2030, in which it plans to use next-generation LIDAR technology to help drivers avoid collisions. They believe that driver-assistance technology to help avoid highly complex accidents will be essential in autonomous vehicles of the future.

Safety is important for carmakers and buyers across the world with governments also mandating the addition of certain features. This includes lane departure warning (LDW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) which could pave the way for new driver-assistance technologies in self-driving cars.

Nissan wants its ground truth perception technology operational by the mid-2020s. While it will initially only be available on a select few new vehicles, it will eventually be on nearly every new vehicle by the end of 2030.

It appears Nissan has clearly outlined its plan and timelines to develop and launch this new driver-assistance technology. To keep up to date on this story and other articles covering new vehicles and driving tips, subscribe to our blog.

The post How Does Nissan’s New Driver-Assistance Technology Work? appeared first on Nissan Blog at Group1.