One look at the new Nissan lineup us all it takes to see that the Japanese automaker draws inspiration from the world around us. For example, check out models like the all-electric LEAF which draws both its name and its powertrain from an eco-conscious mindset. Soon, though, more technology from the automaker will feature ideas and inspiration from the animal kingdom.
Nissan's R&D department has been hard at work for years to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries from vehicle collisions, and a key part of this goal is to develop collision-avoidance systems for future cars that are smarter and faster than drivers.
To accomplish this, Toru Futami, engineering director of advanced technology and research, and his team are looking at behavioral patterns of fish.
As anyone who has visited an aquarium or watched Finding Nemo knows, fish travel in schools, moving incredibly close together while maintaining a safe amount of space between them. If cars were able to accomplish this, more vehicles would be able to operate on the same width roads, safely minimizing traffic congestion.
According to Futami, fish follow three main rules: "Don't go away too far, don't get too close and don't hit each other."1 If cars can do the same, accidents would a thing of the past.
To learn more about the incredible safety technology that you can find in the models here at Lithia Nissan of Ames, contact our team, or if you're near our Ames, IA dealership, stop by during regular business hours.
Source: 1 http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/releases/nissan-inspired-by-bees-and-fish-in-developing-technology-for-future-mobility