Nissan Opens Research Center In Silicon Valley

PALO ALTO, Calif. (Nikkei)--Nissan Motor Co. (7201) on Monday launched a research center in the heart of Silicon Valley in hopes of tapping top talent to develop next-generation safety technologies.

The Nissan Research Center Silicon Valley opened in Sunnyvale, California, by consolidating existing bases in the area. It has an initial research staff of more than 10, with plans to increase the number to around 60 in three to four years.

"Silicon Valley is where you see the highest concentration of the Leaf electric vehicle," said Executive Vice President Mitsuhiko Yamashita at the opening ceremony. "By cooperating with local firms and universities, we hope to develop and spread advanced safety features and information technologies," he added.

Nissan plans to work with researchers at Google Inc., Stanford University and other firms to create "smart cars" that come equipped with self-driving functions and next-generation safety devices.

Specifically, Nissan is considering using various data collected from moving cars to help prevent accidents, ease traffic congestion and assist the elderly and disabled in driving. Such data could also be used for maintenance of the batteries that power the vehicles.

(The Nikkei, Feb. 20 morning edition)

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